Impact of seedling age on the survival and productivity of Atriplex halimus shrubs in drought-affected rangelands of Jordan
Yahya Al-Satari A E , Ezz Al-Dein Al-Ramamneh B , Jamal Ayad C , Mohamad Abu Dalbouh D , Ibrahim Amayreh D and Zein Khreisat A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Rangeland and Forestry Research Directorate, National Centre for Agricultural Research and Extension, Al-Baqah 19381, Jordan.
B Department of Agricultural Sciences, Al-Shouback University College, Al-Balqa Applied University, Maan, Jordan.
C Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, School of Agriculture, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
D Water and Ecology Research Directorate, National Centre for Agricultural Research and Extension, Al-Baqah 19381, Jordan.
E Corresponding author. Email: yalsatari@yahoo.com
The Rangeland Journal 40(3) 287-296 https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ17102
Submitted: 5 October 2017 Accepted: 29 May 2018 Published: 22 June 2018
Abstract
Rangelands in Jordan are part of arid areas of the Mediterranean Basin. Stress-tolerant plants such as Atriplex halimus L. have been used to rehabilitate such degraded areas. Seeds of A. halimus were sown in plastic bags in mid-March, mid-August and mid-September of 2012 and placed on the ground in a nursery at Khaldiah Station. Seedlings that were 4, 5 and 10 months old were transplanted on 20 January 2013 to the Khanasri Range Reserve and monitored for their survival over the growing seasons of 2013, 2014 and 2015. At the time of transplanting, the height, weight, stem thickness and root length density of 10-month-old seedlings were greater than of 4- and 5-month-old seedlings. Analyses of leaf tissues indicated high crude protein content in seedlings of different ages (22−26%). The 10-month-old plants showed 15–40-fold higher stem dry weight and more convoluted roots than the 4- and 5-month-old seedlings. The average rate of survival of transplanted seedlings over the three growing seasons was 77.0%, 92.3% and 94.3% for 10-, 5- and 4-month-old seedlings, respectively. Thus, higher growth of the 10-month-old seedlings than of 4- and 5-month-old seedlings at transplanting was compromised by their lower survival percentage throughout the 2013, 2014 and 2015 growing seasons. The dry yield of fodder shrubs was comparable across different-aged seedlings after 2 years of growth in permanent pastures (380, 364 and 354 kg dry yield ha–1 for 10-, 5- and 4-month-old seedlings, respectively). Taken together, these data suggest that 4–5-month-old seedlings of A. halimus are more appropriate for transplanting than 10-month-old seedlings because of cost-effective establishment of seedlings in the nursery, because no significant differences in shrub productivity were observed among plants derived from seedlings of different ages in the permanent rangeland. The impact of the introduced shrubs on different native plants in the range can be addressed in future studies.
Additional keywords: allowable yield, browse weight, canopy, rangeland rehabilitation, root system.
References
Abu-Zanat, M. M. W., Al-Hassanat, F. M., Alawi, M., and Ruyle, G. B. (2003). Oxalate and tannins assessment in Atriplex halimus L. and A. nummularia L. Journal of Range Management 56, 370–374.| Oxalate and tannins assessment in Atriplex halimus L. and A. nummularia L.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Abu-Zanat, M. M. W., Ruyle, G. B., and Abdel-Hamid, N. F. (2004). Increasing range production from fodder shrubs in low rainfall areas. Journal of Arid Environments 59, 205–216.
| Increasing range production from fodder shrubs in low rainfall areas.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Al-Eisawi, D. (1996). ‘Vegetation of Jordan.’ (UNESCO—Cairo Office, Regional Office for Science and Technology for the Arab States: Cairo.) Available at: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0011/001143/114332eb.pdf
Al-Karadsheh, E., Akroush, S., and Mazahreh, S. (2012). Land degradation in Jordan—review of knowledge resources. Working Paper 1 December 2013. International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). Available at: http://www.icarda.org/publication/working-papers (accessed 28 March 2018).
Al-Ramamneh, E. A. (2009). Plant growth strategies of Thymus vulgaris L. in response to population density. Industrial Crops and Products 30, 389–394.
| Plant growth strategies of Thymus vulgaris L. in response to population density.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Al-Satari, Y. A., Mudabber, M. A., and Khaswneh, A. Z. (2013a). Effect of planting date on productivity of three Atriplex species under semi-arid conditions in Jordan. International Journal of Botany and Research 3, 7–12.
Al-Satari, Y. A., Alokour, A. A., Al-Zoubi, E. Y., and Worekat, A. M. (2013b). Effectiveness of nursery planting dates of Atriplex halimus and Salsola vermiculata on decreasing seedlings production cost in Jordan. International Journal of Botany and Research 3, 13–18.
Alemseged, Y., and Hacker, R. B. (2014). Introduction of dorper sheep into Australian rangelands: implication for production and natural resource management. The Rangeland Journal 36, 85–90.
| Introduction of dorper sheep into Australian rangelands: implication for production and natural resource management.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Alkemade, R., Reid, R. S., van den Berg, M., de Leeuw, J., and Jeuken, M. (2013). Assessing the impacts of livestock production on biodiversity in rangeland ecosystems. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 110, 20900–20905.
| Assessing the impacts of livestock production on biodiversity in rangeland ecosystems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Amoroso, G., Frangi, P., and Piatti, R. (2010). Effect of container design on plant growth and root deformation of littleleaf linden and field elm. HortScience 45, 1824–1829.
Andrew, M. H., Noble, I. R., and Lange, R. T. (1979). A non-destructive method for estimating the weight of forage on shrubs. Australian Rangeland Journal 1, 225–231.
| A non-destructive method for estimating the weight of forage on shrubs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Andrew, M. H., Noble, I. R., Lange, R. T., and Jonhnson, A. W. (1981). The measurements of shrub forage weight: Three methods compared. Australian Rangeland Journal 3, 74–82.
| The measurements of shrub forage weight: Three methods compared.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Annapurna, D., Rathore, T. S., and Joshi, G. (2004). Effect of container type and size on the growth and quality of seedlings of Indian sandalwood (Santalum album L.). Australian Forestry 67, 82–87.
| Effect of container type and size on the growth and quality of seedlings of Indian sandalwood (Santalum album L.).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Awawdeh, F., Tabbaa, M., and Migdadi, H. (2002). Country report on the state of animal genetic resources in Jordan. National Center for Agricultural Research and Technology Transfer, Amman, Jordan, and FAO, Rome.
Ayad, J. Y., Talhouni, M. N., and Saoub, H. (2010). Variation in growth and water uptake of Atriplex halimus and Atriplex nummularia plants in relation to water deficit. Dirasat: Human and Social Sciences 37, 91–100.
Bajji, M., Kinet, J. M., and Lutts, S. (2002). Osmotic and ionic effects of NaCl on germination, early seedling growth, and ion content of Atriplex halimus (Chenopodiaceae). Canadian Journal of Botany 80, 297–304.
| Osmotic and ionic effects of NaCl on germination, early seedling growth, and ion content of Atriplex halimus (Chenopodiaceae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Belgacem, A. O., and Louhaichi, M. (2013). The vulnerability of native rangeland plant species to global climate change in the West Asia and North African regions. Climatic Change 119, 451–463.
| The vulnerability of native rangeland plant species to global climate change in the West Asia and North African regions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cibils, A. F., Swift, D. M., and McArthur, E. D. (1998). Plant–herbivore interactions in Atriplex: current state of knowledge. General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-14. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
Department of Statistics (2016). ‘Year Book.’ (Department of Statistics: Amman, Jordan.)
Department of Statistics (2017). ‘Year Book.’ (Department of Statistics: Amman, Jordan.)
Duncan, D. (1955). Multiple range and multiple F-test. Biometrics 11, 1–42.
| Multiple range and multiple F-test.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gao, Y., Duan, A., Qiu, X., Liu, Z., Sun, J., Zhang, J., and Wang, H. (2010). Distribution of roots and root length density in a maize/soybean strip intercropping system. Agricultural Water Management 98, 199–212.
| Distribution of roots and root length density in a maize/soybean strip intercropping system.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Haddioui, A., and Baaziz, M. (2001). Genetic diversity of natural populations of Atriplex halimus L. in Morocco: an isoenzyme-based overview. Euphytica 121, 99–106.
| Genetic diversity of natural populations of Atriplex halimus L. in Morocco: an isoenzyme-based overview.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hecht, V. L., Temperton, V. M., Nagel, K. A., Rascher, U., and Postma, J. A. (2016). Sowing density: a neglected factor fundamentally affecting root distribution and biomass allocation of field grown spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Frontiers in Plant Science 7, 1–14.
| Sowing density: a neglected factor fundamentally affecting root distribution and biomass allocation of field grown spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Humphries, A. W., Hughes, S. J., Nair, R. M., Kobelt, E., and Sandral, G. (2014). High levels of diversity for seed and forage production exist in Cullen australasicum, a potential new perennial forage legume for dry environments in southern Australia. The Rangeland Journal 36, 41–51.
| High levels of diversity for seed and forage production exist in Cullen australasicum, a potential new perennial forage legume for dry environments in southern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hyder, J. Z., and Akil, B. (1987). Establishment of exotic Atriplex species under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions in Central Saudi Arabia. Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Research 8, 184–190.
Kozub, P. C., Cavagnaro, J. B., and Cavagnaro, P. F. (2017). Exploiting genetic and physiological variation of the native forage grass Trichloris crinita for revegetation in arid and semi-arid regions: An integrative review. Grass and Forage Science 73, 251–271.
Le Houérou, H. N. (1992). The role of saltbushes (Atriplex spp.) in arid land rehabilitation in the Mediterranean basin: a review. Agroforestry Systems 18, 107–148.
| The role of saltbushes (Atriplex spp.) in arid land rehabilitation in the Mediterranean basin: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Le Houerou, H. N. (2000). Utilization of fodder trees and shrubs in the arid and semiarid zones of West Asia and North Africa. Arid Soil Research and Rehabilitation 14, 101–135.
| Utilization of fodder trees and shrubs in the arid and semiarid zones of West Asia and North Africa.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Magomya, A. M., Kubmarawa, D., Ndahi, J. A., and Yebpella, G. G. (2014). Determination of plant proteins via the Kjeldhal method and amino acid analysis: a comparative study. International Journal of Scientific & Technology Research 3, 68–72.
Mahyou, H., Tychon, B., Balaghi, R., Louhaichi, M., and Mimouni, J. (2016). A knowledge-based approach for mapping land degradation in the arid rangelands of North Africa. Land Degradation & Development 27, 1574–1585.
| A knowledge-based approach for mapping land degradation in the arid rangelands of North Africa.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Manning, M. E., Swanson, S. R., Svejcar, T., and Trent, J. (1989). Rooting characteristics of four intermountain meadow community types. Journal of Range Management 42, 309–312.
| Rooting characteristics of four intermountain meadow community types.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Martínez, J. P., Kinet, J. M., Bajji, M., and Lutts, S. (2005). NaCl alleviates polyethylene glycol-induced water stress in the halophyte species Atriplex halimus L. Journal of Experimental Botany 56, 2421–2431.
| NaCl alleviates polyethylene glycol-induced water stress in the halophyte species Atriplex halimus L.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McArthur, E. D., and Freeman, D. C. (1982). Sex expression in Atriplex canescens: genetics and environment. Botanical Gazette 143, 476–482.
| Sex expression in Atriplex canescens: genetics and environment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McArthur, E. D., and Sanderson, S. C. (1984). Distribution, systematics and evolution of Chenopodiaceae: an overview. In ‘Proceedings Symposium on the Biology of Atriplex and Related Chenopods’. (Eds A. R. Tiedemann, E. D. McArthur, H. C. Stultz, R. Stevens and K. L. Johnson.) pp. 14–24. (USDA Forest Service: Provo, UT, USA.)
Mellado, M. (2016). Dietary selection by goats and the implications for range management in the Chihuahuan desert: a review. The Rangeland Journal 38, 331–341.
| Dietary selection by goats and the implications for range management in the Chihuahuan desert: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Meteorological Department (1997). Annual Report. Meteorological Department, Amman, Jordan.
Miller, G., Khalilian, A., Adelberg, J. W., Farahani, H. J., Hassell, R. L., and Wells, C. E. (2013). Grafted watermelon root length density and distribution under different soil moisture treatments. HortScience 48, 1021–1026.
Ministry of Water and Irrigation (2016). Annual Report. Ministry of Water and Irrigation, Amman, Jordan.
Muñoz, A. E., and Simonetti, J. A. (2013). Diet of guanaco in sheep-free rangeland in Tierra del Fuego, Chile. Ciencia e Investigación Agraria 40, 185–191.
| Diet of guanaco in sheep-free rangeland in Tierra del Fuego, Chile.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Murad, N. (2000). A study on the Syrian steppe and forage shrubs. In ‘Fodder shrub development in arid and semi-arid zones’. (Eds G. Gintzburger, M. Bounejmate and A. Nefzaoui.) pp. 289. (ICARDA: Aleppo, Syria.)
Ndungu, W. J. (2015). Influence of enclosure management systems on rangeland rehabilitation in Chepareria, West Pokot County, Kenya. M.Sc. Thesis, University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Nemati, N. (1977). Shrub transplanting for range improvement in Iran. Journal of Range Management 30, 148–150.
| Shrub transplanting for range improvement in Iran.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Opoku-Ameyaw, K., Amoah, F. M., Oppong, F. K., and Agene, V. (2007). Determination of optimum age for transplanting cashew (Anacardium occidentale) seedlings in Northern Ghana. African Journal of Agricultural Research 2, 296–299.
Ortega, U., Majada, J., Mena-Petite, A., Sanchez-Zabala, J., Rodriguez-Iturrizar, N., Txarterina, K., Azpitarte, J., and Duñabeitia, M. (2006). Field performance of Pinus radiata D. Don produced in nursery with different types of containers. New Forests 31, 97–112.
| Field performance of Pinus radiata D. Don produced in nursery with different types of containers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ortíz-Dorda, J., Martínez-Mora, C., Correal, E., Simón, B., and Cenis, J. L. (2005). Genetic structure of Atriplex halimus populations in the Mediterranean basin. Annals of Botany 95, 827–834.
| Genetic structure of Atriplex halimus populations in the Mediterranean basin.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Otal, J., Orengo, J., Quiles, A., Hevia, M. L., and Fuentes, F. (2010). Characterization of edible biomass of Atriplex halimus L. and its effect on feed and water intakes, and on blood mineral profile in non-pregnant Manchega-breed sheep. Small Ruminant Research 91, 208–214.
| Characterization of edible biomass of Atriplex halimus L. and its effect on feed and water intakes, and on blood mineral profile in non-pregnant Manchega-breed sheep.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Papanastasis, V. P., Yiakoulaki, M. D., Decandia, M., and Dini-Papanastasi, O. (2008). Integrating woody species into livestock feeding in the Mediterranean areas of Europe. Animal Feed Science and Technology 140, 1–17.
| Integrating woody species into livestock feeding in the Mediterranean areas of Europe.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pasiecznik, N. M., Vera-Cruz, M. T., and Harris, P. J. C. (1996). The current status of Atriplex on the Cape Verde Islands. Journal of Arid Environments 34, 507–519.
| The current status of Atriplex on the Cape Verde Islands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pengelly, B. C., Muir, J. P., Osman, A. E., and Berdahl, J. D. (2003). Integration of improved forages and their role in the supplementation of natural range vegetation. In ‘Proceedings VII International Rangeland Congress’. (Eds N. Allsopp, A. R. Palmer, S. J. Milton, K. P. Kirkam, G. I. H. Kerley, C. R. Hurt and C. J. Brown.) pp. 1306–1317. (Document Transformation Technologies: Durban, South Africa.)
Ren, Y., Zhu, J., Hussain, N., Ma, S., Ye, G., Zhang, D., and Hua, S. (2014). Seedling age and quality upon transplanting affect seed yield of canola (Brassica napus L.). Canadian Journal of Plant Science 94, 1461–1469.
| Seedling age and quality upon transplanting affect seed yield of canola (Brassica napus L.).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sameni, A., and Soleimani, R. (2007). Crude protein, phosphorus, common salt, and mineral composition of range plants and their nutritive value for grazing ruminants in southern Iran. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 38, 1–13.
| Crude protein, phosphorus, common salt, and mineral composition of range plants and their nutritive value for grazing ruminants in southern Iran.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sanderson, S. C., and Stutz, H. C. (1994). Woody chenopods useful for rangeland reclamation in Western North America. In ‘Proceedings—Ecology and Management of Annual Rangelands’. (Eds S. B. Monson and S. G. Kitchen.) pp. 374–378. (USDA Forest Service: Provo, UT, USA.)
SAS (Statistical Analysis System) (2001). ‘SAS User’s Guide.’ (SAS Institute Inc.: Cary, NC, USA.)
Scutareanu, P., and Loxdale, H. D. (2006). Ratio of nutrient and minerals to defensive compounds indicative of plant quality and tolerance to herbivory in pear trees. Journal of Plant Nutrition 29, 629–642.
| Ratio of nutrient and minerals to defensive compounds indicative of plant quality and tolerance to herbivory in pear trees.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sidahmed, A. E. (1992). Sustainable rangelands in the Near East and North Africa. Rangelands 14, 201–205.
Smaoui, A., Barhoumi, Z., Rabhi, M., and Abdelly, C. (2011). Localization of potential ion transport pathways in vesicular trichome cells of Atriplex halimus L. Protoplasma 248, 363–372.
| Localization of potential ion transport pathways in vesicular trichome cells of Atriplex halimus L.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Strawbridge, M., Bell, R. W., McComb, J. A., and Barrett-Lennard, E. G. (1997). Influence of sex ratio and sexual lability on seed production in the dioecious perennial shrub Atriplex amnicola (Chenopodiaceae). Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 37, 661–666.
| Influence of sex ratio and sexual lability on seed production in the dioecious perennial shrub Atriplex amnicola (Chenopodiaceae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Stringi, L., Giambalvo, D., Accardo, A., and Amato, G. (1992). Characterization of progeny clones belonging to natural Sicilian Atriplex halimus populations. In ‘Halophytes as a Resource for Livestock and for Rehabilitation of Degraded Lands’. (Eds V. R. Squires and A. T. Ayoub.) pp. 303–310. (Kluwer Academic Publishers: Dordrecht, The Netherlands.)
Talamali, A., Bajji, M., Le Thomas, A., Kinet, J. M., and Dutuit, P. (2003). Flower architecture and sex determination: how does Atriplex halimus play with floral morphogenesis and sex genes? New Phytologist 157, 105–113.
| Flower architecture and sex determination: how does Atriplex halimus play with floral morphogenesis and sex genes?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Van Soest, P. J., Robertson, J. B., and Lewis, B. A. (1991). Methods for dietary fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and nonstarch polysaccharides in relation to animal nutrition. Journal of Dairy Science 74, 3583–3597.
| Methods for dietary fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and nonstarch polysaccharides in relation to animal nutrition.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Walker, D. J., Lutts, S., Sánchez-García, M., and Correal, E. (2014). Atriplex halimus L.: Its biology and uses. Journal of Arid Environments 100–101, 111–121.
| Atriplex halimus L.: Its biology and uses.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wang, Z., Hou, X., Schellenberg, M. P., Qin, Y., Yun, X., Wei, Z., Jiang, C., and Wang, Y. (2014). Different responses of plant species to deferment of sheep grazing in a desert steppe of Inner Mongolia, China. The Rangeland Journal 36, 583–592.
| Different responses of plant species to deferment of sheep grazing in a desert steppe of Inner Mongolia, China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Yahdjian, M. L., and Sala, O. E. (2008). Climate change impacts on South American rangelands. Rangelands 30, 34–39.
| Climate change impacts on South American rangelands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zaroug, M. (1985). Importance of fodder trees and shrubs for the productivity of rangelands and agriculture systems in the Near East. In ‘Proceedings International Round Table on Prosopis tamarugo Phil’. (FAO: Rome.) Available at: www.fao.org/docrep/006/AD316E/AD316E10.htm#ch2.6 (accessed 19 January 2016)
