Effects of Nitraria sibirica on the Improvement of Salt-Affected Soil

Abstract

Nitraria sibirica is a salt-tolerant plant, especially the provenance from Dayilu. The present reported experimental study reveals that this species is very good at preventing salt from accumulating as well as improving soil physical properties and enhancing soil nutrition. When a forest is going to be established, site choice and the site preparation method are very important. Related to this, because Nitraria seedlings are weak at the very beginning, their capacity to compete with weeds is rather low, and thus site preparation using methods such as continuous plowing and harrowing is necessary to wipe out these competing weeds. When it comes to planting Nitraria seedlings, container seedlings are better than bare-root seedlings, and planting in the rainy season is better in practice because of the local climate features. Through the experiments described in this chapter, it is possible to conclude that Nitraria sibirica has good salt resistance, wide development potential, and high ecological and economic benefits; hence, it could be applied in vast areas of serious salt-affected coastal soil. In terms of seed provenances, Dayilu was found to be an excellent source of Nitraria sibirica. When planting Nitraria sibirica, the site should be selected in salt-affected areas with salt content lower than 0.6–0.8 %; the site preparation method of two-plowing-two-harrowing should be used; a planting density of 2505/ha is best; and container seedlings planted in the rainy season, or bare-root seedlings for use in direct planting for forestation, are the best strategies.