Germination, Emergence, Water Use, and Production of Russianthistle (Salsola kali L.)1

Abstract

AbstractStudies of Russianthistle (Salsola kali L.) have shown that it is a plant well suited to arid and semi‐arid regions. This study was conducted to learn some of the characteristics of the species related to germination and water use that allow it to succeed in these dry areas. Russianthistle seeds were planted in a sandy soil, and various amounts of simulated rainfall were added once. Emergence occurred in 14 hours when as little as 7.6 ml (0.3 inch) was applied. There was no significant difference in numbers of plants emerging and surviving to permanent wilting from 12.7 ml (0.5 inch) to 27.9 ml (1.1 inch) of simulated rainfall. Germination studies showed that Russianthistle seed germinated from 4 to 68 C with optimum germination from 7 to 35 C. Plants were grown for 90 days (to maturity) at four soil moisture levels — field capacity, 0.5, 0.2, and 0.1 available water — to determine water use and production. Shoot production was greatest at field capacity and least when soil was maintained at 0.1 available water. However, efficiency of water use was greatest at 0.1 available water, requiring only 98 g of water per dry‐weight gram of shoot produced. Even under field capacity, Russianthistle used only 181 g of water per dry‐weight gram of shoot and root produced.