Effect of Soil Salinity on Nutrient Uptake, Growth, and Decorative Value of Four Ground Cover Shrubs

Abstract

Nutrient uptake and growth of ground cover shrubs: Cotoneaster horizontalis, Cotoneaster “Ursynów,” Potentilla fruticosa “Longacre,” and Spiraea “Grefsheim,” grown at different soil salinity levels, were determined. Plants were watered five times in seven days intervals with water or four different sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions, every year during 1997–1999. Tolerant species such as Potentilla fruticosa and Cotoneaster horizontalis were not affected by soil salinity of 12 mS cm⁻¹ (electrical conductivity), while Cotoneaster “Ursynów” exhibited moderate to severe injury symptoms, which became more severe with each growing season. At the end of experiment also growth of Spiraea was strongly decreased at high doses of NaCl. Increasing soil salinity had also significant effect on nutrient uptake of tested plants.

Keywords:

• Salinity resistance
• Salt tolerance
• Ornamental shrubs