Screening Wetland and Forage Plants for Phytoremediation of Salt-Affected Soils in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta.

Abstract

This study evaluated the salt tolerance and sodium (Na) bioaccumulation of Typha orientalis, Lepironia articulata, Eleocharis dulcis, Scirpus littoralis, Brachiaria mutica, Paspalum atratum and Setaria sphacelata at five salinity levels of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20‰ (corresponding to 0, 2.4, 6.9, 12.6 and 18g NaCl L-1). S. littoralis showed zero-reduction in total dry biomass and was classified as a salt tolerant plant based on the membership function value. The highest Na+ accumulation was observed in S. sphacelata (307.9mg plant-1) in spite of its salt sensitivity, followed by S. littoralis and T. orientalis at concentration of 155mg plant-1. Consequently, the Na+ phytoextraction potential of these species can be estimated as 46.2, 23.3 and 23.3kg ha-1 over 49 days, respectively. Taken together, they show high potential as Na+ hyperaccumulators, and can be selected in the national reclamation program for salt-affected soils in the context adaptation to climate change.