Potential of four halophytes from the Urmia Lacke as soli phytodesalination

This research was aimed to investigate the potential of four halophytes from the Urmia Lacke including Salsola dendroides, Salsola nitraria, Salsola iberica and Halocnemum strobilaceum as soli phytodesalination. For this purpose, soil samples were collected from two soil depths of 0-15 and 15-30 cm inside the ecological patches as well as around it. Our results clearly showed that the studied halophytes could reduce the amount of Na+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ significantly in the first soil depth (p<0.01). However, in the second depth, less affected by the root of species, there were no significant differences in the amounts of these cations in the soil of inside and outside the patches. The absorption of Mg2+, Cl-, Ca2+, Na+ and K+ by underground and aboveground biomass was also investigated. The results of mean comparisons showed that Salsola nitraria and Halocnemum strobilaceum accumulated the highest concentration of magnesium and chlorine in each gram of dry weight biomass. Also, the studied species showed no significant difference in SAR. The amount of these elements were compared in the roots of two species having the highest salt accumulation in aboveground biomass, and the species accumulating lower levels of these elements in roots was introduced. Overall, Halocnemum. strobilaceum showed the highest potential in absorbing salt through roots (soli phytodesalination) as compared to the rest of the species and its cultivation could be recommended for soil improvement and forage production in saline lands.