Salsola Kali Research Articles

Leaf morphology and carbon isotope discrimination in members of the genusSalsola.II. Studies onSalsola sodaL.

SUMMARYFollowing a first report on Salsola kali L. (see PATRIGNANI et al. 1993), the investigations on the genus Salsola were extended to the species Salsola soda L. Also for this species carbon isotope discrimination was measured and leaf morphology was described on the ground of light and electron microscopic observations. Aspects related to the C4 photosynthesis were discussed.

Leaf morphology and carbon isotope discrimination in members of the genusSalsola.I. Studies onSalsola kaliL.

SUMMARYThis paper refers to morphological and physiological studies on Salsola kali L. leaves of various age; 13C/12C ratio was measured and anatomical and ultrastructural aspects related to their C4 photosynthesis were analyzed by means of light and electron microscopy. Interesting results have been attained regarding chloroplasts, plasmodesmata and vesicles proliferation, probably connected with the C4 metabolism.

Separation of two leafhopper populations of theCirculifer haematoceps complex on different host plants in Israel

TwoCirculifer leafhopper populations of thehaematoceps complex have been collected in large numbers in Israel for several years. One of these leafhoppers inhabited prickly saltwort (Salsola kali) plants on sandy soil on the Mediterranean coast. It has a narrow host range and was found to survive for one generation on turnip. The other leafhopper population was collected in 1986 on common goosefoot (Chenopodium album) plants in the Golan Heights. This population is polyphagous and in the laboratory reproduced well onMatthiola incana, turnip, sugar beet andChrysanthemum coronarium; however, reproduction was nil onPhaseolus vulgaris and very low onBrassica oleracea, Portulaca oleracea andCarthamus tinctorius.

The Ecology of the Strandline Annuals Cakile Maritima and Salsola Kali. I. Environmental Factors Affecting Plant Performance

(1) Cakile maritima and Salsola kali, two annual strandline species, show marked differences in growth dependent on their position of establishment on sandy shores. Large, rapidly growing plants are associated with sand containing macroalgal litter, whereas small stunted plants are found on foredunes above the limit of tidal inundation. (2) Edaphic variables and plant nutrient concentrations were monitored throughout the growing season of 1988 at Harlech, Wales to establish potential causes of this difference in performance. (3) Differences in performance of plants on the foredune and strandline were not the result of any difference in the availability of water or potassium. (4) Nitrogen was more concentrated in strandline sand and was at much higher concentrations in the leaves of C. maritima and S. kali growing on this sand, compared with foredune sand, especially at the end of the growing season. (5) This difference in growth was probably caused by higher nitrogen availability on the strandline, and might have been exacerbated by a nitrogen-dependent salt stimulation of growth of strandline established plants and the greater demand on leaf nitrogen for the accumulation of nitrogenous solutes in the nitrogen-deficient plants on the foredune. (6) A difference in the availability of phosphorus between foredune and strandline sand may also have contributed to this difference in growth.

The Ecology of the Strandline Annuals Cakile Maritima and Salsola Kali. II. The Role of Nitrogen in Controlling Plant Performance

(1) The difference in performance of two annuai halophytes, Cakile maritima and Salsola kali, was investigated in strandline habitats where plants are large and fecund and on foredunes where they are small and stunted. (2) The response of growth and photosynthetic gas exchange to nitrogen and phosphorus addition was investigated in the field. (3) Addition of nitrogen caused a substantial increase in growth on the foredune, confirming its limited availability. Phosphorus was present in the foredune sand in sufficient quantity to support the extra growth of nitrogen-fertilized plants. (4) Nitrogen addition increased the net photosynthetic rate of foredune plants to values comparable with those of unfertilized strandline plants. It is suggested that nitrogen deficiency limits growth on the foredune by restricting the rate of net photosynthesis (5) Recalculation of photosynthesis as a nitrogen use efficiency (carbon fixed per unit nitrogen content of leaf) shows that the differences in photosynthetic rate in the field could be attributed wholly to differences in leaf nitrogen status.

Aphanomyces cochlioides . [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria

Abstract A description is provided for Aphanomyces cochlioides . Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. HOSTS: Amaranthus blitoides, A. retroflexus, Beta lomatogona, B. patellaris, B. patula, B. trigyna, B. vulgaris, B. vulgaris var. cicla, Celosia argentea, Chenopodium album, Dianthus chinensis, Echinocloa crus-gallii, Escholtzia californica, Gomphrena globosa, Kochia scoparia, K. scoparia var. culta, Lychnis alba, Mollugo verticillata, Papaver rhoeas, Portulaca oleracea, Salsola kali, Saponaria ocymoides, Spinacia oleracea, Tetragonia tetragonioides . DISEASE: Blackroot of sugar beet; the fungus is a facultatively necrotrophic plant pathogen. There is an early acute phase of short duration (causing pre-emergence and post-emergence damping off) and a later chronic phase which may persist throughout the life of the plant. Infection during seed germination is indicated by poor stands with killed seeds remaining in the soil to infect young seedlings emerging elsewhere. Seedling hypocotyls are infected at ground level, a water-soaked area extending up and down the hypocotyl or the upper part of the young taproot from the point of entry. The invaded root or hypocotyl rapidly becomes brownish and then assumes the characteristic jet black discoloration from which the disease derives its name. Soon after, the cortex of the hypocotyl dries, and the stem and hypocotyl shrink, leaving a thin strand of tissue. Oospores are easily seen in the collapsed root and hypocotyl tissue on microscopic examination. The chronic phase first appears on plants in late June to August. A greenish-yellow discoloration of the swollen hypocotyl develops, affected root tissues becoming dark brown, soft, water-soaked, splitting apart and eventually shrivelling. Plants are stunted and lower leaves turn yellow. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Asia: Japan. Australasia & Oceania: Australia (Qld). Europe: Austria, Denmark, England, France, Germany (GDR & GFR), Hungary, Ireland, Poland, Sweden, USSR (Russia). North America: Canada (Alberta, NS, Ontario, Quebec), USA (California, Connecticut, Indiana, Michigan, Maine, MT, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas, Washington State, Wisconsin). South America: Chile. See CMI Distribution Maps of Plant Diseases 596. TRANSMISSION: Presumably in soil by oospores originating from sloughed-off root tissues and germinating to produce zoospores. The conditions favouring oospore germination are however largely unknown. Survival may occur on alternative hosts present in the crop, so the disease may be difficult to eliminate. The disease is particularly severe in warm, wet conditions, less so in cool, wet weather.

A Conservation Tillage System for Profitable Cotton Production in the Central Texas High Plains

AbstractIrrigation water supplies are dwindling in the southern High Plains and effective methods of conserving precipitation during fallow periods are needed. This study was conducted to compare soil water storage, yield of cotton, and profitability of conventional and notillage in a 2‐yr, double crop, irrigated barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)‐ dryland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cropping sequence with a 48 wk fallow from barley harvest and cotton planting. The soil was a Sherm (fine, mixed, mesic Torrertic Paleustolls) clay loam with 2.2% organic matter, a soil pH of 6.9, and 28, 31, and 41% sand, silt, and clay, respectively. Kochia [Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrad.], Russian thistle [Salsola kali (L.) var. tenuifolia Tausch], pigweed (Amaranthus blitoides S. Wats.), and witchgrass (Panicum capillare L.) were controlled during fallow with disk and field cultivator in conventional tillage. Herbicides used for no‐tillage were dicamba [3,6‐dichloro‐2‐methoxybenzoic acid], atrazine [6‐chloro‐N‐ethyl‐N′‐(l‐methylethyl)‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamine], fluometuron [N,N‐dimethyl‐N′‐[3‐(trifluoro‐methyl)phenyl] urea], and glyphosate [N‐(phosphonomethyl)glycine]. A 45 mm increase in soil water storage with no‐tillage increased dryland cotton yields 110 kg ha−1. Although herbicide costs were $155.00 ha−1 greater with no‐tillage, long‐term annual profit with no‐tillage increased $82.00 ha−1 over conventional tillage because of increased yield and lower machinery depreciation Costs.

Interference betweenSalsola kali L. seedlings: Implications for plant succession

Studies were conducted to determine the cause of the decline of the early successional species,Salsola kali L., in the years following its colonization of disturbed soils in arid regions of the western United States. DriedS. kali plant material significantly stimulated the growth ofS. kali but had no effect on the growth or levels of mycorrhizal infection ofAgropyron smithii, a later successional grass. In contrast, root leachates fromS. kali caused a depression in the growth ofS. kali, but had no effect on the growth or mycorrhizal infection ofA. smithii. In the reciprical experiment, root leachates fromA. smithii had no effect on mycorrhizal fungi,S. kali, orA. smithii. This study contradicts earlier studies of the allelopathic potential ofS. kali litter and supports the importance of direct interference betweenS. kali seedling as the cause of the die-off ofS. kali during secondary succession.

Population biology of Ammophila breviligulata and Calamovilfa longifolia on Lake Huron sand dunes. III. Dynamic changes in plant community structure

Changes in vegetation and physiography of Lake Huron shoreline were studied by recording total counts and by comparing photographs taken in 1977, 1985, and 1987. In 1977, a large number of annual and biennial plant species such as Cakile edentula, Corispermum hyssopifolium, Salsola kali, Euphorbia polygonifolia, Artemisia campestris, and Oenothera biennis were found growing in association with two perennial grasses, Calamovilfa longifolia and Andropogon scoparius. Ammophila breviligulata was absent at that time, but became abundant through establishment of ramets from rhizome fragments after the storms of 1979 and 1981. Two damaging storms, one in October 1986 and the second in April 1987, wiped out almost all of Ammophila breviligulata, leaving a few remnant shoots among clumps of Calamovilfa longifolia. Observations suggest that the low density (two shoots∙m−2) of Ammophila breviligulata tillers among Calamovilfa longifolia populations on the first dune ridge has resulted from landward extensions of plagiotropic rhizomes from the once abundant Ammophila breviligulata populations on the lakeward end of the beach.

Nest Placement and Productivity of Ferruginous Hawks in Western Kansas

The nesting ecology of Ferruginous Hawks (Buteo regalis) in western Kansas was studied from 1979 through 1987. During this time 100 nesting areas and 181 different active nest sites were located. Nesting density in the study area was 316.5 km2/pair and was highest (71.5 km2/pair) along the Smoky Hill River, where chalk outcrops were common. On average, 38 nests and 43 percent of nest areas surveyed annually from 1979 were active each year. Nests were large (up to 190 cm wide and 180 cm deep), but averaged 100130 cm across and 30-50 cm deep. Nests were typically composed of old fruit stalks and stems of Yucca as well as bits of Russian thistle (Salsola kali), cow chips, and occasional wire. The majority (71.8%) of active sites were on ledges; butte, tree and ground nest sites were less common. Compass orientation of ledge nests tended to be northwest, but was statistically random. The majority (76.4%) of nesting areas included white or yellow chalk outcrops surrounded by rangeland. Only one nesting area included less than 25 percent rangeland and more than 75 percent cropland. Half of all active sites were considered impossible for quadrupedal predators to access and only 29.2 percent were easily accessed from one or more directions. Most (81.9%) nesting areas were within 8 km of active black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) towns, but 86.9 percent of areas were not adjacent to dog towns. Hawks may avoid nesting in cropland sites, ground sites, and easily-accessed sites, suggesting that sites with low levels of human and predator disturbance may be favored. Productivity varied greatly among sites, but was significantly higher at inaccessible sites. Accessible sites within eye-view of prairie dog towns were the least productive, perhaps because unsuccessful predators of prairie dogs turn to hawk eggs and nestlings as alternative prey. Variable nest placement, so typical of this species, may occur because undisturbed sites are actively selected and undisturbed sites have variable characteristics throughout the species' range. This content downloaded from 207.46.13.94 on Mon, 05 Jun 2017 18:26:41 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms VOLUME 92, NUMBERS 3-4 133 The Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis) is a conspicuous inhabitant of semiarid grasslands and sparse woodlands of the western United States and prairie provinces of southern Canada. Formerly one of the most abundant hawks in these regions its populations have declined, primarily because of increased human domination of the land (Bechard, 1981; Houston and Bechard, 1984; Schmutz, 1984). In order to determine the abundance and productivity of Ferruginous Hawks in Kansas (the eastern border of the species' range) this species was monitored beginning in 1978. The objective of this paper is to document utilization of habitat and productivity during the breeding seasons of 1979 through 1987. Nests are described, nest site characteristics quantified and nest placement related to reproductive success.

Responses of the non7hyphen;mycotrophic plant Salsola kali to invasion by vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

SUMMARYVesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi reduced the growth and survival of the non‐mycotrophic weed, Salsola kali (Chenopodiaceae) in field and greenhouse experiments. To determine the mechanisms by which mycorrhizal fungi can affect a non‐mycotrophic plant, we mapped the root responses of S. kali and the mycotrophic grass Agropyron dasystachyum to invasion by a mixture of Glomus spp. and by Gigaspora margarita. The fungi invaded the roots of both species within 10 days following seed germination. In A. dasystachyum normal mycorrhizal development occurred and no root browning or autofluorescence was observed, indicating a compatible reaction. In S. kali, the fungi initially invaded the roots and formed arbuscules and peletons. The roots reacted to invasion by autofluorescing bright yellow, suggesting lignification. With 1 or 2 days following root penetration by the fungus, the invaded root segment turned brown and, with the exception of some vesicles, the fungus disappeared from the root. The fungus sometimes then reinvaded new root segments farther down the root.These observations suggest that there is an incompatible reaction beween this non‐mycotrophic annual and VA mycorrhizal fungi whereby the plant actively rejects infection. This response could form the basis for initiating studies on the genetics of mutualistic versus parasitic symbioses.

La cicadelle Neoaliturus haematoceps (Mulsant & Rey) est vecteur de Spiroplasma citri en Méditerranée

Among the many leafhoppers which we have collected and identified in Morocco, Turkey, Syria and France (Corsica), only the species Neoaliturus haematoceps was found to be infected with Spiroplasma citri. In Syria, this leafhopper was encountered on ornamental stock plants (Matthiola incana L.) in the Oronte valley, and on Salsola kali L., a wild Chenopodiacae of the semi-arid regions of the coastal area. In Corsica, we found it on wild stock plants (Matthiola sinuata R.Br.) of the oriental coast and on bush plants. A breeding of this leafhopper was initiated, and we demonstrated that it was able to acquire S. citri from infected periwinkles, multiply the organisms in its body and transmit them to healthy plants. This leafhopper can also be infected after injection of S. citri. The leafhoppers thus inoculated can transmit the spiroplasma very efficiently to healthy plants. This is the first report of the transmission of S. citri by Neoaliturus haematoceps both after acquisition on a diseased plant and after injection.

THE BIOLOGY OF CANADIAN WEEDS.: 65. Salsola pestifer A. Nels.

In Canada, Russian thistle (Salsola pestifer A. Nels.) occurs in disturbed habitats in every province except Newfoundland. A key that separates three other closely elated species, Salsola kali L., S. collina Pall, and S. paulsenii Litv. is provided. Salsola kali occurs mainly on sandy beaches in the Maritime Provinces. S. collina is spreading in the province of Saskatchewan along railway tracks. It has recently been discovered in Ontario. Both S. collina and S. paulsenii are weedy in the adjacent western or in the southwestern United States, respectively. The biology of S. pestifer, the most common weedy species in the genus, is discussed.Key words: Weed biology, Salsola pestifer, Russian thistle

Effects of NaCl and KCl on Growth and Ionic Composition of the Halophytic C4 Succulent Chenopods Salsola kali, Suaeda monoica and Suaeda aegyptiaca

Salsola kali, Suaeda monoica and Suaeda aegyptiaca plants were grown in sand culture under controlled conditions and treated with half-strength Hoagland's nutrient solution (control), and control plus 150 mol m-3 KCl or NaCl. Fresh weight of Salsola kali was doubled in the NaCl and KCl treatments, but the increase in dry matter as compared with the control was not significant. Ionic content in this species revealed high selectivity for K v. Na. Fresh weight of Suaeda monoica and S. aegyptiaca was raised by NaCl 5 and 10 times respectively. Control and KCl-treated plants were poorly developed and plants of S. aegyptiaca exhibited sodium deficiency symptoms under these treatments. The two Suaeda species had lower selectivity of K v. Na than Salsola kali. Of the two annual species, Suaeda kali and S. aegyptiaca, S. kali flowered under all three treatments, whereas S. aegyptiaca flowered only under the Na treatment. In spite of the fact that all three species are inorganic ion accumulators and C4-succulent chenopods, they exhibit wide differences in their response to the two chloride salts.

Competition between plants of different successional stages: mycorrhizae as regulators

Salsola kali, a colonizing annual which does not form vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizae (nonmycotrophic), was grown in pure culture and in mixtures with two mycotrophic grasses which are late successional dominants, Agropyron smithii and Bouteloua gracilis. Soils were either left sterile or inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi. In pure culture mycorrhizae caused no significant increase in dry mass of either grass, but in mixed culture with S. kali, mycorrhizal infection was significantly related to increased mass of grasses. Mycorrhizal infection was related to increased stomatal conductance of the grasses in both pure and mixed culture. Salsola kali had lower stomatal conductance but not a significantly reduced mass with mycorrhizal fungi. Hyphae of mycorrhizal fungi, but not vesicles or arbuscules, were observed in the rhizosphere and occasionally the cortex of S. kali. Where competition between colonizing nonmycorrhizal species and later successional mycorrhizal species is a mechanism which drives succession, the inoculum density may determine the rate of succession.

Time of Emergence of Eight Weed Species

Under irrigated field conditions at Prosser, WA, Russian thistle [Salsola kali(L.) var.tenuifoliaTausch. ♯3SASKR] began to emerge by mid-March each year and usually had completed its emergence by May 1. Common lambsquarters (Chenopodium albumL. ♯ CHEAL) was the next to appear, usually during the third or fourth week of March. Barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galli(L.) Beauv. ♯ ECHCG], redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexusL. ♯ AMARE), hairy nightshade (Solarium sarrachoidesSendt. ♯ SOLSA), black nightshade (5.nigrumL. ♯ SOLNI), eastern black nightshade (S. ptycanthumDun.), and cutleaf nightshade (S. triflorumNutt. ♯ SOLTR) generally began to emerge during the first 2 weeks of April and emergence generally peaked mid-April to mid-May. Russian thistle and cutleaf nightshade had the most restricted emergence patterns, whereas seedlings of common lambsquarters, redroot pigweed, hairy nightshade, and black nightshade emerged each month from April through September. Shallow tillage at monthly intervals increased the overall emergence of common lambsquarters, redroot pigweed, black nightshade, and eastern black nightshade; decreased the emergence of barnyardgrass; and had no effect on the emergence of Russian thistle, cutleaf nightshade, or hairy nightshade.

Effect of salt and soil water status on transpiration ofSalsola kaliL.

AbstractTranspiration ofSalsola kaliL. plants, grown in small pots under controlled environmental conditions, was followed through a drying cycle of the soil. Three different nutrient solutions were used during the preconditioning growth period: control (C), half‐strength Hoagland's nutrient solution; C plus 150mol m−3NaCl; and C plus 150mol m−3KCl. Soil water content at saturation at the beginning of the drying cycle was 20% (w/w). Both NaCl and KCl treatments modified the plants' response to changes in soil water status. The control plants transpired twice as much (per unit leaf dry weight) as the salt‐treated plants, even when the soil was at maximal water capacity. Transpiration of the control plants remained high, until the soil water content declined to 5%. After that stage the stomata of these plants closed abruptly. Transpiration of the salt‐treated plants started decreasing when the soil water content was approximately 16%, and did so gradually until all the available water was depleted. When transpiration was plotted against soil water potential a sharp decline in the transpiration of control plants was observed with the soil water potential decreasing from ‐0.04 to ‐1.2MPa. Transpiration of the salt‐treated plants decreased gradually over a wide range of soil water potential (−0.8 to −7.0MPa).

Ecological Characteristics of Small Mammals on a Radioactive Waste Disposal Area in Southeastern Idaho

Species composition, diversity, biomass and densities of small mammal populations were examined in crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) and Russian thistle (Salsola kali) habitats on a solid radioactive waste disposal area and in native sagebrush (Artemisia tridentala) habitat surrounding the disposal area. The 15-month live-trapping study resulted in the marketing of 2384 individuals representing 10 species of small mammals. The deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) was the most common rodent in both disposal area habitats and the adjacent sagebrush habitat; Ord's kangaroo rat (Dipodomys ordii) was also an abundant rodent in all vegetation types. The montane vole (Microtus montanus) was common only in crested wheatgrass stands on the disposal area. Although the adjacent native sagebrush habitat had the highest species diversity and the Russian thistle habitat on the disposal area had the lowest, the total rodent density was not significantly different among the three vegetation types. Crested wheatgrass within the disposal area contained the largest rodent biomass throughout the study, in part due to an increasing M. montanus population. The peak small mammal biomass of 5000 g/ha in creasted wheatgrass and sagebrush habitats was considerably higher than previously reported for similar habitats. Differences in diversity and biomass between the disposal area andmore » surrounding native habitat are most likely related to differences in soil compaction and vegetation between these two areas.« less

Arid lands plants for fuel

By the year 2000, bioenergy could supply up to 20% of the United States' current energy consumption. Certain arid-land plants can be grown for direct whole-crop use as fuels, for conversion from biomass to fuels and feedstocks and for sources of hydrocarbon products. Arid-land plants offer two choices for energy production: as a solid, direct-burn fuel for steam, and for conversion to liquid fuels. Shrubs and herbs available in the near term (2–5 yr) include guayule ( Parthenium argentatum), Russian thistle ( Salsola kali) and creosote bush ( Larrea tridentata). Liquid-fuel crops potentially available in the intermediate term (5–10 yr) include milkweed ( Asclepias spp.), rabbit bush ( Chrysothamus nauseosus) and dogbane ( Apocynum cannabinum). Tree crops potentially available in the long term (10–20 yr) include eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus spp.) and mesquite ( Prosopis spp.).

Radionuclide Concentrations in Vegetation at a Solid Radioactive Waste‐Disposal Area in Southeastern Idaho

AbstractConcentrations of 238Pu, 239,240Pu, and 241Am in crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn) and Russian thistle (Salsola kali L.) samples collected at a solid radioactive waste‐disposal area in southeastern Idaho were significantly (P ± 0.05) greater than concentrations in control vegetation. No significant differences were found for 90Sr or 137Cs concentrations between the waste‐disposal and control‐area vegetation. Russian thistle had more radionuclide contamination than crested wheatgrass, presumably because of its greater rooting depth and spreading growth. The total radionuclide inventory of 90Sr, 137Cs, 238Pu, 239,240Pu, and 241Am in vegetation at the 36‐ha waste‐disposal area (77 µCi) was not significantly (P > 0.05) greater than the 17 µCi in control‐area vegetation. Ninety percent of the radioactivity in waste‐disposal area vegetation and 99% in control‐area vegetation were attributed to 90Sr and 137Cs. The Pu inventory in Subsurface Disposal Area (SDA) vegetation was only 0.02% of the quantity of Pu estimated to occur in SDA surface soils in 1974. Accumulation of radionuclides by vegetation is not considered a major mode of radionuclide transport through the environment surrounding this radioactive‐waste‐disposal area.