Salinity and Boron Tolerance of Common Native and Introduced Plants in Texas
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ESC-011 10/15 Salinity and Boron Tolerance of Common Native and Introduced Plants in Texas Soil and water salinity and boron thresholds for selected trees, shrubs, turfgrasses, ornamental ground covers, fruit and nut crops, vegetables, flowers, herbaceous crops, field grasses, forages, and field crops. Photo: DepositPhoto Photo: DepositPhoto Photo: DepositPhoto Salinity and Boron Tolerance of Common Native and Introduced Plants in Texas Mark McFarland Professor and State Soil Fertility Specialist Department of Soil and Crop Sciences Tony Provin Professor and Soil Chemist Department of Soil and Crop Sciences Larry Redmon Professor and State Forage Specialist Department of Soil and Crop Sciences Diane Boellstorff Assistant Professor and Extension Water Resource Specialist Department of Soil and Crop Sciences Jennifer Peterson Program Specialist Department of Soil and Crop Sciences Alyson McDonald Assistant Professor and Extension Range Specialist Department of Ecosystem Science and Management Larry Stein Professor and Extension Horticulturist Department of Horticultural Sciences Benjamin Wherley Assistant Professor - Turfgrass Department of Soil and Crop Sciences Casey Reynolds Assistant Professor and Extension Turfgrass Specialist Department of Soil and Crop Sciences All from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service The Texas A&M University System Table of Contents About the Index . 1 Water and Soil Testing . 2 Trees and Shrubs Very sensitive . 3 Moderately sensitive . 4 Moderately tolerant . 6 Tolerant . 8 Very tolerant . 10 Turfgrasses, Flowers, and Ornamental Ground Covers Sensitive . 11 Moderately tolerant . 12 Tolerant . 13 Very tolerant . 14 Vegetables and Herbaceous Crops Very sensitive . 15 Sensitive . 16 Moderately tolerant . 17 Fruit and Nut Crops Very sensitive . 18 Sensitive . 19 Moderately tolerant . 19 Tolerant . 19 Field Grasses, Forages, and Field Crops Very sensitive . 20 Sensitive . 21 Moderately tolerant . 22 Tolerant . 23 Very tolerant . 24 Alphabetical Listing of all Plant Species . 25 References . 39 Salinity and Boron Tolerance of Common Native and Introduced Plants in Texas Salinity is a measure of the total dissolved salts response at a given location will vary, depending on in the root zone of a crop (soil salinity) and in irri- the specific composition of the water applied, the soil gation water. It affects plant growth in two ways: or growth media, and environmental conditions. osmotic stress and specific ion toxicity. Increased This index contains thresholds for both soil salin- salt concentration in the soil water reduces a plant’s ity and irrigation water salinity. In addition, thresh- ability to absorb water, resulting in an osmotic or olds for boron in irrigation water, one of the more “drought” stress, even when there is sufficient soil common toxic ions, are provided when available. water. High soluble salt concentrations can also cause Plant species are grouped by crop type (such as trees, toxic amounts of some ions such as boron, chloride, ornamentals, field crops) and tolerance level (such as sodium, and sulfate to accumulate in the plant. very sensitive, moderately sensitive, and tolerant). Plant species vary widely in their tolerance to salts The list includes species with reported values for in soil and irrigation water. In most plants, salt toler- soil and water salinity thresholds. Due to limited ance is lowest at germination and during early seed- data, most of the irrigation water salinity thresholds ling establishment. Tolerance levels can also change are estimates based on the assumption that evapora- with soil and environmental conditions. Minimizing tion and transpiration that occurs after the applica- the salt stress on plants, particularly during early tion of irrigation water can increase soil salinity by development, promotes successful establishment and twofold or more. However, changes in soil salinity as growth. a result of irrigation can differ substantially, depend- Salt tolerance can be a good indicator of drought ing on soil properties and environmental conditions. tolerance. More salt-tolerant plant species are typ- Because salt accumulation occurs more rapidly ically better suited to situations where irrigation in fine-textured, poorly drained clay and loam soils is limited and are often more resistant to drought compared to sandy soils, use estimated irrigation conditions. thresholds only as a general guide. If proposed irri- Some species do not require any supplemental gation water approaches the salinity threshold value, irrigation. Others can tolerate higher salt levels in manage soils and add sufficient water to leach salts irrigation water applied to the soil, but not when and limit their accumulation in the root zone. This applied to the leaves (sprinkler irrigation). In such may include adding soil amendments such as gyp- cases, plants can be watered with drip, soaker sum. Test the soil every year or even more often to hose, or furrow irrigation. Selecting more salt- and monitor salt accumulation and guide decisions about drought-tolerant plant species can substantially irrigation and soil amendment needs. enhance water conservation for landscapes. To search this index for a particular species, press control+f on a PC (or command+f on a Mac) and About the Index type a common or scientific name. There is also a While the salt tolerance level of some plant species table with a full listing of the plant species in alpha- is known, there is limited or no information for many betical order by common name. species. Data for this publication came from a wide Throughout the tables, common names in bold range of sources, including early research reports. Salt text are hyperlinked to the United States Department tolerance limits listed in the index are intended as a of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Ser- general reference for selecting plant species for agri- vice PLANTS Database, which provides additional cultural and horticultural applications. Actual plant information about taxonomy and distribution. Place 1 the cursor on the plant name and press control+click subject to rapid changes in depth or flow can experi- on a PC or, on a Mac, click on the name. This index ence significant changes in water quality over short will be updated as new data and information become periods. More frequent testing may be needed to available. To report errors or omissions, please call monitor water quality and make appropriate manage- (979) 845-3041. ment decisions. Because the units that different laboratories use The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Soil, Water to report salinity vary, you may need to convert these and Forage Testing Laboratory (SWFTL) can ana- units in order to compare values. This publication lyze irrigation water for agricultural and urban use. reports soil and irrigation water salinity in units of Forms and information for water sampling and test- decisiemens per meter (dS/m). Table 1 shows sim- ing are available on the laboratory website at http:// ple conversion factors to use to compare laboratory soiltesting.tamu.edu. water salinity and soil salinity results to the suggested Salts from irrigation water, fertilizer and manure, thresholds. and decomposed organic matter can all increase soil salinity if leaching is limited and the net removal of Water and Soil Testing nutrients is less than the inputs. Homeowners and In this index, electrical conductivity of irrigation land managers should have annual soil tests done for water or soil is a primary indicator of the impact landscapes and fields that receive irrigation water salinity has on plants. However, electrical conduc- with elevated salinity. A complete, standard soil tivity evaluates only the potential osmotic effects of test includes a measurement of soluble salts. A basic salts. Individual ions in water can be toxic to plants salinity analysis is part of the routine test offered by and the balance of positively charged ions or cations the SWFTL; a detailed analysis is also available if (usually dominated by calcium, magnesium, potas- requested. sium, and sodium) and negatively charged ions or For more information regarding managing salts in anions (usually dominated by bicarbonate, chloride, irrigation water, see: and sulfate) is important. You will need a complete Fipps, G. 2003. Irrigation Water Quality Standards irrigation water analysis to fully assess the suitability and Salinity Management Strategies. B-1667. of a water source. When the total salts or an individ- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, ual ion are elevated, consult a water professional to College Station, Texas. http://soiltesting.tamu. interpret the test results and determine whether a edu/publications/B-1667.pdf. water source is appropriate to use for irrigation. Provin, T. L. and J. L. Pitt. 2012.Managing Soil Test water wells at least annually, especially Salinity. E-60. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension during extended dry periods, since the water quality Service, College Station, Texas. http:// in a well can change because of pumping demand and soiltesting.tamu.edu/publications/E-60.pdf. limited recharge. Aquifers, lakes, ponds, and rivers Table 1. Conversion factors for different units of electrical conductivity (EC). Measurement Units Abbreviation Conversion to dS/m Example Conductivity Micromhos µmhos/cm Divide by 1000 1000 µmhos/cm = 1 dS/m Conductivity Microsiemens µS/cm Divide by 1000 1000 µS/cm = 1 dS/m Conductivity Millisiemens mS/cm Multiply by 1 1 .0 mS/cm = 1 dS/m Conductivity Millimhos mmhos/cm Multiply