Influence Of Soil Salinity Research Articles

ENGINEERING-GEOLOGICAL ZONING OF THE FOUNDATION PROJECT ON SALINE SOILS OF KANLIKUL DISTRICT

The article is devoted to the engineering-geological zoning of the foundation project on the saline soils of the Kanlikul district. The features of the region's geological and hydrogeological conditions, as well as the influence of soil salinity on the stability and durability of building structures, are considered. The methods of engineering-geological zoning used to assess the suitability of soils for construction are described. The article proposes solutions for designing foundations taking into account the specifics of saline soils, as well as measures to reduce the negative impact of salinization on construction sites. The work is aimed at improving design and construction practices in the region's complex geological conditions.

A Novel Hybrid Deep Learning Framework for Evaluating Field Evapotranspiration Considering the Impact of Soil Salinity

AbstractAccurate evaluation of evapotranspiration (ET) is crucial for efficient agricultural water management. Data‐driven models exhibit strong predictive ET capabilities, yet significant limitations like naive extrapolation hamper wider generalization. In this perspective, we explore a novel hybrid deep learning (DL) framework to integrate domain knowledge and demonstrate its potential for evaluating ET under the influence of soil salinity. Specifically, we integrated physical constraints from process models (Penman‐Monteith or Shuttleworth‐Wallace) and salinity‐induced stomatal stress mechanisms into the DL algorithm, and evaluated its performance by comparing four diverse scenarios. Results demonstrate that hybrid DL framework offers a promising alternative for ET estimation, achieving comparable accuracy to pure DL during training and validation. Nonetheless, due to the limited available measurements, data‐driven model may not adequately capture plant responses to salt stress, leading to significant prediction biases observed during independent testing. Encouragingly, the hybrid DL model (DL‐SS) integrating Shuttleworth‐Wallace and salinity‐induced stomatal stress mechanisms demonstrated enhanced interpretability, generalizability, and extrapolation capabilities. During testing, DL‐SS consistently showed optimal performance, yielding root mean square error (RMSE) values of 37.4 W m−2 for sunflower and 39.2 W m−2 for maize. Compared to traditional Jarvis‐type approaches (JPM and JSW) and pure DL model during testing, DL‐SS achieved substantial reductions in RMSE values: 51%, 33%, and 43% for sunflower, and 45%, 31%, and 35% for maize, respectively. These findings highlight the importance of integrating prior scientific knowledge into data‐driven models to enhance extrapolation capability of ET modeling, especially in salinized regions where conventional models may struggle.

Influence of Soil Salinity on the Chemical Composition of Essential Oil of Rosmarinus officinalis in Syria

This work aimed to investigate salinity influence on the biosynthesis of essential oil and its constituents in Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary), and to optimize yield by modulating environmental factors (soil). Four groups of Rosmarinus officinalis plants were cultivated, each containing four samples, over a four-month period from May to September (2011). The irrigation solutions utilized a salinity gradient ranging from 25mM to 100 mM, with each group being irrigated separately on average every three days. The fourth group irrigated with distilled water served as a control. Essential oils were extracted from both cultivated and wild groups, in both fresh and dried states. Eight samples were collected from various regions in Syria, including Salkhad, Swieda, Sheikh Badr, Tartous, Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Damascus (cultivated samples), and Kalamoon. The highest quantities of oil were extracted from samples in the Sweida and Kalamoon regions. Rosemary leave essential oil contains numerous chemical constituents in proportions depending on the plant's origin. The GC-MS data revealed an elevated concentration of oxygenated compounds, such as camphor, borneol, and verbenone, in the cultivated samples. Additionally, the results demonstrated that soil salinity within permissible limits could enhance production and improve the essential oil yield of the plant.

Influence of soil salinity on the bearing capacity of the frozen wall

The article describes the results of laboratory studies on the unfrozen water content and ultimate long-term strength of frozen clay and chalk samples in the temperature range from −10 to −25 °C. The soil samples contained dissolved salt in the pore space, with three types of salts (NaCl, KCl, and CaCl2) being considered. The findings indicate that the influence of the content and type of dissolved salt on the ultimate long-term strength of soils is realized indirectly through the unfrozen water content. In this case, the soil freezing characteristic curve in the region of negative temperatures significantly depends on both the type of dissolved salt and its quantity. The experimental data obtained were used to parameterize the model and calculate the maximum bearing capacity of the frozen wall (FW) in the presence of dissolved salts in the volume of frozen soils. It has been demonstrated that the decrease in the maximum FW bearing capacity is substantial with the appearance of dissolved salt in the pore space of the soils. This decrease is at-tributed to the combined effects of two factors: 1) a reduction in the FW thickness and 2) a decrease in the frozen soil strength due to an increase in the amount of unfrozen water content in the soil pore space. The second factor is deemed more significant.

Exploring the impact of salinity on citrus (Citrus spp.) rootstock seed germination and seedling biomass

An experiment was conducted at the screen house of the Department of Horticulture, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana during 2018–19 and 2019–20 to assess the impact of 5 different salinity levels [0.07 (control), 2.5, 4.0, 5.5, and 7.0 dS/m] on the seed germination and biomass of 9 citrus (Citrus spp.) rootstock seedlings (Rough lemon, Pectinifera, Cleopatra mandarin, Rangpur lime, Alemow, Volkamer lemon, NRCC-4, NRCC-3 and CRH-12). Experiment consisted of 45 treatment combinations and 3 replications in a completely randomized design (CRD). Under the influence of soil salinity, the number of days taken for seed germination, seed germination percentage, fresh and dry root and shoot biomass were adversely affected across all rootstocks compared to the control treatment (0.07 dS/m). Among the tested rootstocks, Volkamer lemon exhibited the highest seed germination rate (57%), followed by Rangpur lime (53%) and CRH-12 (50%). Conversely, Pectinifera showed the lowest seed germination percentage (37%), followed by Alemow (43%) at 7 dS/m. The minimum reduction at 7 dS/m over control in fresh shoot and root and dry shoot and root biomass was observed in Rangpur lime (37.7, 16.2, 27.8 and 27.3%, respectively), followed by Volkamer lemon (38.0, 16.2, 28.3 and 28.5%, respectively). On the other hand, Pectinifera exhibited the highest reduction in biomass (51.9, 40.5, 47.0 and 43.9%, respectively), followed by Alemow (45.7, 30.9, 46.5 and 39.9%, respectively). Among all the rootstocks, Rangpur lime, Volkamer lemon and Cleopatra mandarin displayed better tolerance to salinity, exhibiting relatively lower reduction in biomass at the highest salinity level (7 dS/m) compared to the control. Cleopatra mandarin, Rough lemon and NRCC-3 showed a moderate response, while Pectinifera, NRCC-4, and Alemow were found to be less tolerant, exhibiting higher reduction in terms of count of seed germination days, seed germination percentage, fresh and dry root biomass, and shoot biomass at 7 dS/m compared to the control treatment.

Impact of Soil Salinity on Citrus: A Review

Citrus fruits are one of the most important fruit crops in the world. However, these are vulnerable to a variety of environmental stresses, including drought, over watering (water logging), extreme temperatures (cold, frost, and heat), salinity, and mineral toxicity. Above these factors, salinity is the one of the most significant. Because of its hyperosmotic and hyperionic effects on the soil rhizosphere, salinity is an abiotic factor that has detrimental effect of reducing plant development and yield. Citrus is a salt-susceptible crop as compared to other fruit crops, because citrus development and yield are dramatically reduced under salt stress conditions. There are a variety of approaches that can be used to mitigate the harmful effects of salinity, including alternative irrigation and the selection of salt-resistant root stocks. This review will therefore, concentrate on the influence of soil salinity on citrus production and feasible mitigation techniques to reduce production losses.

Influence of Soil Salinity on Selected Element Contents in Different Brassica Species.

Climate changes in coastal regions cause increased soil salinity, a well-known type of environmental stress for a high number of agricultural crop species, including Brassicaceae, whose growth and development, and consequently the crop quality and yield, are affected by salinity stress. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of salt stress on micro- and macro-element homeostasis in different Brassica crops. Kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala), white cabbage (B. oleracea var. capitata) and Chinese cabbage (B. rapa ssp. pekinensis) were grown hydroponically and treated with 200 mmol/L sodium chloride for 24 h to mimic short-term salt stress. The contents of Al, Ca, K, Mg, Na, B, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, V and Zn were determined in the roots and leaves of the salt-treated plants and corresponding controls by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. While Al, Ca, K, Mg and Na were determined in the mg/g range, the contents of the other elements were found at the µg/g level. A statistical analysis of the obtained data showed that the applied salt treatment significantly influenced the single-element contents in different plant parts. The major elements Ca, K and Mg were mainly unaffected in the more-salt-tolerant kale and white cabbage under salinity stress, while K and Mg were significantly decreased in the more-sensitive Chinese cabbage. The levels of micro-elements were found to be species/variety specific. In general, potentially toxic elements were accumulated in the roots of salt-treated plants to a higher extent than in the corresponding controls.

Influence of Soil Salinity on Pore Water Phase Composition

In areas of intensive construction on the Arctic coast, river valleys of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) non-freezing taliks with a high concentration of pore solution (cryopegs) are found in the strata of permafrost soils. N. P. Anisimova made a great contribution to the study of the cryopegsformation in the cryolithozone [1]. For solutions of any composition, it is established [2] that there is a general dependence of the relative freezing temperature on the relative concentration of the solution. It has also been established that the effect of dissolved salts is additive. The freezing temperature of the solution in the pores of dispersed media is affected, in addition to the concentration and composition of the solution the adsorption capacity of the material in relation to the components of the solution.

A simple incubation test for determining soil dispersion and gypsum rates

Context High levels of exchangeable sodium or potassium in soils can lead to issues such as dispersion and deterioration of soil structure, reduced hydraulic conductivity and inadequate aeration. Gypsum is the most common soil amendment used to treat these issues but current methods to determine application rates (e.g. based on exchangeable sodium percentage or addition of dissolved calcium to diluted soil extracts) have limitations. Aim The aim of this study was to develop a simple soil incubation test to determine gypsum rates that are sufficient to eliminate soil dispersion. Methods Accurately weighed amounts of gypsum (to represent rates between 0 and 10 t ha−1) were mixed with soil (n = 8, three replicates) in small columns (50 mL plastic syringe-valve) and incubated under wet conditions for different periods. The turbidity, electrical conductivity, pH and cation concentrations in the column leachate were measured. Key results As gypsum rate increased, turbidity in the leachate decreased and this relationship was fitted with a natural logarithm function for each soil (average R2 = 0.71). A desired leachate turbidity target of ≤10 NTU was used in the equation to estimate the gypsum rate when dispersion was overcome for each soil. Testing suggested that a 1-day soil incubation time was sufficient. Conclusions Advantages of this new method include (a) non-reliance on exchangeable cation measurements, (b) direct relationship of the turbidity measure with soil dispersion and (c) the influence of soil salinity on dispersion being implicitly considered. Implications This method should provide improved decision support for management of dispersive soils.

Estimating sunflower canopy conductance under the influence of soil salinity

Canopy conductance (gc) is the key parameter to quantify eco-hydrology processes. Salinity stress is one of the most important abiotic stresses to growth of crops in arid and semi-arid areas. Understanding the influence of salinity on stomatal movement and accurately describing gc under salt stress are of great significance to quantify agro-hydrology processes affected by salt. Therefore, we measured stomata conductance (gs) of sunflower leaves at different growth stages and soil salinity conditions in two consecutive years. At the same time, the evapotranspiration above canopy and the dynamic changes of soil moisture and salinity in root zone were continuously monitored. It was found that under the same meteorological conditions, leaf gs decreased with the increase of soil salt content. Relatively, gs was more sensitive to salt at seedling and maturity stages than at budding and flowering stages. Furthermore, an empirical formula describing the effect of soil salinity on gs was added to the Jarvis multi-factor multiplication gs model, which used leaf area index (LAI) as a parameter to express the salt tolerance of different growth stages. Effective LAI was used to upgrade the model from leaf scale to canopy scale. gc calculated by Penman-Monteith equation using the farmland canopy evapotranspiration measured by the eddy covariance system was used to evaluate the applicability of model. The results showed that the model could simulate gc well on both the half-hour and the daily average scale. Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency coefficient of the daily average scale model was about 0.65, and determination coefficient of the simulation results of different scales in two years were all above 0.66. Our findings could improve the understanding of influence of salinity on stomatal movement in such areas and provided a basis for simulating canopy evapotranspiration and photosynthesis under salt stress.

Influence of soil salinity on the protein and fatty acid composition of the edible halophyte Halimione portulacoides

As the worldwide population continues to rise, so does global demand for agricultural production. This scenario of uncertain food supply is exacerbated by the high salinization of soils worldwide, a serious constraint to crop productivity. In this context, there is an increasing need for alternative sustainable crops. Halophytes are thought to be a promising alternative food source due to their natural ability to grow in saline soils and their multiple potential uses in the food industry. In this study, the protein and fatty acid content of the halophyte Halimione (Atriplex) portulacoides (L.) was studied in different saline conditions. Although more studies are needed to explore the nutritional properties of H. portulacoides, the data presented here suggest that this halophyte should be considered as a promising food crop for saline agriculture.

Is salinity the main ecological factor that influences foliar nutrient resorption of desert plants in a hyper-arid environment?

BackgroundSoil salinity is a major abiotic constraint to plant growth and development in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world. However, the influence of soil salinity on the process of nutrient resorption is not well known. We measured the pools of both mature and senesced leaf nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sodium (Na) of desert plants from two types of habitats with contrasting degrees of soil salinity in a hyper-arid environment of northwest China.ResultsN, P, K revealed strict resorption, whereas Na accumulated in senesced leaves. The resorption efficiencies of N, P, and K were positively correlated with each other but not with Na accumulation. The degree of leaf succulence drives both intra-and interspecific variation in leaf Na concentration rather than soil salinity. Both community- and species-level leaf nutrient resorption efficiencies (N, P, K) did not differ between the different habitats, suggesting that soil salinity played a weak role in influencing foliar nutrients resorption.ConclusionsOur results suggest that plants in hyper-arid saline environments exhibit strict salt ion regulation strategies to cope with drought and ion toxicity and meanwhile ensure the process of nutrient resorption is not affected by salinity.

Impact of soil salinity, texture and measurement frequency on the relations between soil moisture and 20 MHz–3 GHz dielectric permittivity spectrum for soils of medium texture

Dielectric sensors are a popular choice for soil moisture determination. However, the output of many of these devices, especially those operating at frequencies in the MHz range, can be significantly affected by the influence of soil salinity and texture. The aim of this paper is to examine the impact of salinity, texture and measurement frequency on dielectric permittivity – soil moisture calibration curves for ten soils of medium texture in the frequency range from 20 MHz to 3 GHz based on the complex dielectric permittivity spectra measured with the use of a coaxial transmission line cell connected to a vector-network-analyzer. The use of laboratory-measured spectra ensures that at all frequencies dielectric permittivity is measured at the same conditions with no influence of factors such as different sensitivity zone or various installation conditions, as in the case of comparing individual sensors operating at various frequencies. The obtained relations were comparable to the calibration curves of several capacitance/impedance sensors operating at corresponding frequencies. Calibration curves for apparent permittivity, which were obtained with the use of simulations in the time domain based on the measured spectra, were also determined for the tested soils. Even though the tested soils did not include soils with high clay content, the impact of soil texture on the calibration curves was observed. Results confirmed that the influence of soil salinity and texture on dielectric permittivity was the most significant in the lower part of the frequency spectrum, while the smallest impact of these factors was observed at frequencies of several hundred MHz and above.

Desert vegetation distribution and species-environment relationships in an oasis-desert ecotone of northwestern China

Environmental heterogeneity significantly affects the structure of ecological communities. Exploring vegetation distribution and its relationship with environmental factors is essential to understanding the abiotic mechanism(s) driving vegetation succession, especially in the ecologically fragile areas. In this study, based on the quantitative analysis of plant community and environmental factors in 68 plots at 10 different transects in the Minqin oasis-desert ecotone (ODE) of northwestern China, we investigated desert vegetation distribution and species-environment relationships using multivariate analysis. Two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN), detrended correspondence analysis (DCA), and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) methods were used. A total of 28 species, belonging to 27 genera in 8 families, were identified. Chenopodiaceae, Zygophyllaceae, Gramineae, and Leguminosae were the largest families. Annual and perennial herbs accounted for 28.60% of the total number of plants, while shrubs (42.90%) were the most dominant. Nitraria tangutorum was the constructive species of the desert plant community. We divided the 68 plots surveyed in this study into 7 community types, according to the results of TWINSPAN. The distribution of these 7 communities in the DCA ordination graph showed that species with a similar ecotype were clustered together. Results of CCA indicated that groundwater was the dominant factor influencing vegetation distribution, while distance between plot and oasis (Dis) and soil electrical conductivity (EC) were the local second-order factors. Our study suggests that optimizing the utilization of groundwater in oases is key to controlling the degradation of desert vegetation. The favorable topographic conditions of sand dunes should be fully utilized for vegetal dune stabilization, and the influence of soil salinity on the selection of afforestation tree species should be considered.

Contrasting responses of gross and net nitrogen transformations to salinity in a reclaimed boreal forest soil

Plant growth is often affected by low soil nitrogen (N) availability and soil salinity in the Athabasca oil sands region (AOSR) of Alberta, Canada, as the reclaimed cover soil of peat–mineral soil mix (PMM) releases N slowly, and may be affected by salts moving upward from the underlying saline tailings sand (TS) or overburden (OB) materials used for land reclamation. Whether soil salinity affects N transformation and thus N availability is not clear. We studied the effect of soil salinity on net and gross N transformation rates in a reclaimed boreal forest soil in an incubation experiment using the 15N isotopic pool dilution technique. To simulate the salinity in reclaimed soils, sodium chloride was added to a PMM soil to form five salinity levels represented by electrical conductivity (EC) of 2, 4, 6, and 8 dS m−1 (based on 1:2 w/v soil to water ratio) and the control. Gross N mineralization, nitrification, and immobilization rates were significantly different among salinity levels, with the rates suppressed by high soil salinity, but they were not completely inhibited even when soil EC reached 8 dS m−1. As the soil EC increased from 2 to 8 dS m−1, gross N immobilization rates decreased faster than gross N mineralization rates, resulting in less negative net N mineralization rates at high salinity levels. The immobilization of NH4+-N was a greater process for NH4+-N consumption than nitrification and possible NH3 volatilization, regardless of the salinity level. In contrast to gross nitrification rates, net nitrification rates were not affected by soil salinity in the studied soil, indicating that the influence of soil salinity on NO3−-N production and consumption was similar. We conclude that soil salinity had different effects on gross versus net rates of soil N transformation and reduced N mineralization and nitrification rates under high soil salinity would lower N availability and thus increase the need for N fertilization in reclaimed soils.

The influence of soil salinity on volatile organic compounds emission and photosynthetic parameters of Solanum lycopersicum L. varieties

AbstractSoil salinity is one of the best known stress factors of plants that can lead to crop yield reduction. Therefore, it is important to identify new tolerance varieties of plants that can grow on saline soils. We have studied the influence of salt on five different tomato varieties from the Western region of Romania and compared them with a commercial hybrid and found that one of them (Rudna) is a very salt-tolerant variety (up to 200 mM NaCl). The assimilation rates and stomata conductance of water vapour are affected by salinity but some of the local varieties of tomato exhibit quite good tolerance. We found that all plants under salinity stress emit (Z)-3-hexenol (a C6, green leaf volatile) and the emission of all terpenes increased in proportion to the salt concentration. The emission of three terpenes, (Z)-beta-ocimene. 2-carene and beta-phellandrene, have been quantitatively correlated with salt concentration.

Influence of Soil Salinity on the Growth Response and Inorganic Nutrient Content of a Millet Cultivar

Influence of Soil Salinity on the Growth Response and Inorganic Nutrient Content of a Millet Cultivar

Influence of Soil Salinity on Sensory Characteristics and Volatile Aroma Compounds of Nero d’Avola Wine

The influence of soil salinity on the chemical composition, volatile aromatic compounds, and sensory characteristics of Nero d’Avola wine was examined. Data on vineyard productivity, such as grape yield, are also reported. Physicochemical parameters were determined on the samples analyzed. Solid-phase microextraction was used for the extraction of aromatic volatile compounds, followed by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Sensory analyses were performed by visual inspection, smelling, and tasting. Statistical analysis showed that most of the physicochemical parameters and volatile constituents, both primary and fermentation aromas, were influenced by the soil salinity. The composition differences observed among the samples had little influence on the sensory characteristics; the increase in soil salinity enhanced color intensity, purple reflexes, salty, citrus, and fruit in the aroma. Results indicate that Nero d’Avola vine may be well suited to increased soil salinity, even given reduced plant productivity.

Phytoextraction of Pb and Cd by the Mediterranean saltbush (Atriplex halimus L.): metal uptake in relation to salinity

The success of phytoextraction depends upon the identification of suitable plant species that hyperaccumulate heavy metals and produce large amounts of biomass using established agricultural techniques. In this study, the Mediterranean saltbush Atriplex halimus L., which is a C4 perennial native shrub of Mediterranean basin with an excellent tolerance to drought and salinity, is investigated with the main aim to assess its phytoremediation potential for Pb and Cd removal from contaminated soils. In particular, the influence of soil salinity in metal accumulation has been studied as there is notable evidence that salinity changes the bioavailability of metals in soil and is a key factor in the translocation of metals from roots to the aerial parts of the plant. Three pot experiments were conducted under greenhouse conditions for a 10-week period with A. halimus grown in soil artificially polluted with 20 ppm of Cd and/or 800 ppm of Pb and irrigated with three different salt solutions (0.0%, 0.5%, and 3.0% NaCl). Soil measurements for soil characterization were performed with the expiration of the first week of plant exposure to metals and NaCl, and at the end of the experimental period, chlorophyll content, leaf protein content, leaf specific activity of guaiacol peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7), shoot water content, biomass, and Cd and Pb content in the plant tissues were determined. Additionally, any symptoms of metal or salt toxicity exhibited by the plants were visually noted during the whole experimental period. The experimental data suggest that increasing salinity increases cadmium uptake by A. halimus L. while in the case of lead there was not a clear effect of the presence of salt on lead accumulation in plant tissues. A. halimus developed no visible signs of metal toxicity; only salt toxicity symptoms were observed in plants irrigated with 3% NaCl solutions. Chlorophyll content, leaf protein content, shoot water content, and biomass were not negatively affected by the metals; instead, there was even an increase in the amount of photosynthetic pigments in plants treated with both metals and salinity. The specific activity of guaiacol peroxidase seems to have a general tendency for increase in plants treated with the metals in comparison with the respective controls but a statistically significant difference exists only in plants treated with the metal mixture and saline conditions. The data revealed that lead and cadmium accumulation in plant tissues was kept generally at low levels. Salinity was found to have a positive effect on cadmium uptake by the plant and this may be related to a higher bioavailability of the metal in soil due to decreased Cd sorption on soil particles. On the other hand, salinity did not influence in a clear way the uptake of Pb by the plant probably because of lead's limited mobility in soils and plant tissues. Cd and Pd usually decrease the chlorophyll content and biomass and change water relations in plants; however, A. halimus was found not to be affected indicating that it is a Cd- and Pb-tolerant plant. Guaiacol peroxidase activity as one of the parameters expressing oxidative damage and extent of stress in plants was not generally found to be significantly affected under the presence of metals in most plants suggesting that the extent of stress in plants was minimal, while only for plants treated with the metal mixture and low salinity the enzyme activity was elevated confirming that this enzyme serves as an antioxidative tool against the reactive oxygen species produced by the metals. Atriplex halimus L. is a Pb- and Cd-tolerant plant but metal concentrations achieved in plant tissues were kept generally at low levels; however, metal accumulation in shoots, especially for Cd, considered together with its high biomass production, rapid growth, and deep root system able to cope with poor structure and xeric characteristics of several polluted soils suggest that this plant deserves further investigation. Phytoextraction by halophytes is a promising alternative for the remediation of heavy metal contaminated sites affected by salinity since saline depressions often indicate sites of industrial effluents accumulation, contaminated by heavy metals, including Pb and Cd. Halophytes are also promising candidates for the removal of heavy metals from non-saline soils. Furthermore, the use of such plants can be potentially viewed as an alternative method for soil desalination where salt is removed from the soil instead of being washed downwards by water or other solutions.

Influence of Soil Salinity on the Interaction between Tomato and Broomrape plant (Orobanche cernua)

Tomato seedlings (20- days old) were transplanted to infested soil with Orobanche cernua and non-infested soils. All plants were maintained under 0, 25, 50 and 75 mM NaCl soil salinity levels throughout their growing period under greenhouse conditions. Plants grown in O. cernua infested soil infIltrated with 0, 25, and 50 mM NaCl solution for salinity showed significant reduction in their growth as well as their total soluble carbohydrate and protein contents in compared with those grown in non-infested soil. However, under 75 mM NaCI salinity level all plants showed similar growth values whether they were grown in O. cernua infested or non-infested soil. Starting at the fifth and through out the eighth week after transplantation there was a significant increase in plant height in the 0, 25 and 50 mM NaCl irrigated plants over other treatments. Irrigation with 50 mM NaCl significantly reduced the emergence of O. cernua (2/plant) and the number of attachments (4.4 attachments) on roots of tomato. Furthermore, irrigation with 75 mM NaCl resulted in complete elimination of O. cernua emergence.