Examining the salt tolerance of willow ( Salix spp.) bioenergy species for use on salt-affected agricultural lands

• Published in: Canadian journal of plant science Vol. 91; no. 3; pp. 509 - 517
• Main Authors: Hangs, R. D., Schoenau, J. J., Van Rees, K. C. J., Steppuhn, H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-05-2011
• Subjects: Salix; Canada, Saskatchewan; India
• ISSN: 0008-4220; 1918-1833
• DOI: 10.4141/cjps10135

Dryland salinity is a significant limitation on crop production across the Canadian prairies, with an estimated 4 million ha of salt-affected land. The potential exists to make better use of saline marginal lands by developing them into willow (Salix spp.) plantations as a bioenergy feedstock; however, relatively little is known about the salt tolerance of willow. The objective of this study was to compare the relative salt tolerance of 37 different native and exotic willow varieties grown under controlled environment conditions on soils of varying salinity. The soils were collected from a farm field in south-central Saskatchewan along a hillslope catena influenced by saline seep salinity, containing high concentrations of sulfate salts, which commonly occurs within western Canada. Most willow varieties tested in this study were able to tolerate moderately saline conditions (EC sub(e) less than or equal to 5.0 dS m super(-1)). In addition, several varieties (Alpha, India, Owasco, Tully Champion, and 01X-268-015) showed no reduction in growth with severe salinity (EC sub(e) less than or equal to 8.0 dS m super(-1)). These results indicate that some willow varieties are quite salt-tolerant and suitable for establishment on salt-affected soils in Saskatchewan and abroad.Original Abstract: La salinite des terres arides limite passablement l'agriculture dans les Prairies canadiennes. On estime que quatre millions d'hectares sont ainsi affectes. On pourrait nea nmoins faire un meilleur usage des terres marginales salinisees en y cultivant le saule (Salix spp.), qu'on utiliserait comme matiere premiere pour produire de la bioenergie. Malheureusement, on connait relativement mal la tolerance du saule au sel. La presente etude devait comparer la tolerance au sel relative de 37varietes indigenes et exotiques de saule cultivees en milieu controle dans un sol de salinite variable. Les sols ont ete recueillis dans le champ d'une exploitation agricole du centre-sud de la Saskatchewan, le long d'une catena en pente qui subissait 1'influence d'une remontee saline. Le sol renfermait une grande quantite de sels de sulfate, comme c'est couramment le cas dans l'ouest du Canada. La plupart des varietes testees dans le cadre de cette etude toleraient moderement le sel (ECe less than or equal to 5,0 dS par metre); plusieurs (Alpha, India, Owasco, Tully Champion et 01X-268-015) n'ont cependant pas ralenti leur croissance malgre la forte salinite (ECe less than or equal to 8,0 dS par metre). Ces resultats indiquent que certaines varietes de saule tolerent considerablement le sel et pourraient s'etablir sur les sols salinises de la Saskatchewan et d'ailleurs.