The Effect of Planted Saltbush (Atriplex lentiformis) on Edaphic Factors in Grazed and Ungrazed Area

Abstract

Re-vegetation of bare soil is believed to increase, or at least maintain the organic matter levels of soil. The aim of this study was to investigate the soil characteristics changes, nutrient pool sizes and their availability under mid canopy, and canopy gap positions of saltbush in an area re-vegetated with Atriplex lentiformis. Some of the physical and chemical soil characteristics (the particle size distribution, soil bulk density, EC, pH, Na, K, organic C, N, P, C/N ratio and C/P ratio) were measured in two different soil depths at both planted shrublands and control area. The results from samples analysis showed that the soil of the control area is significantly different from the Atriplex shrublands area. Maximum of K and Na proportion were measured in 0 to 20 cm under mid canopy in the planted sites. K and Na in different soil layer showed a significant difference between ungrazed area, grazing area and control area (P<0.05). Maximum of Na was measured in 20 cm top soil of mid canopy in the ungrazed area and minimum Na was observed in 20cm top soil of mid canopy in the grazing area. Organic C and total N were maximum in 0 to 20 cm soil layer under all canopy positions and declined with the increasing depth of soil (P< 0.05). Total P did not differed significantly between Atriplex shrub land and control area (P<0.05)