Hydraulic properties of layered soils influence survival of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana Kunth.) during water stress
Survival of vegetation on soil-capped mining wastes is often impaired during dry seasons due to the limited amount of water stored in the shallow soil capping. Growth and survival of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) during soil drying on various layered capping sequences constructed of combinations of...
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Published in | Plant and soil Vol. 270; no. 1-2; pp. 287 - 297 |
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Main Authors | , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Dordrecht
Springer
01.03.2005
Springer Nature B.V |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Survival of vegetation on soil-capped mining wastes is often impaired during dry seasons due to the limited amount of water stored in the shallow soil capping. Growth and survival of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) during soil drying on various layered capping sequences constructed of combinations of topsoil, subsoil, seawater-neutralised residue sand and low grade bauxite was determined in a glasshouse. The aim was to describe the survival of Rhodes grass in terms of plant and soil water relationships. The soil water characteristic curve and soil texture analysis was a good predictor of plant survival. The combination of soil with a high water holding capacity and low soil water diffusivity (e.g. subsoil with high clay contents) with soil having a high water holding capacity and high diffusivity (e.g. residue sand) gave best survival during drying down (up to 88 days without water), whereas topsoil and low grade bauxite were unsuitable (plants died within 18-39 days). Clayey soil improved plant survival by triggering a water stress response during peak evaporative water demand once residue sand dried down and its diffusivity fell below a critical range. Thus, for revegetation in seasonally dry climates, soil capping should combine one soil with low diffusivity and one or more soils with high total water holding capacity and high diffusivity. |
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Bibliography: | http://www.kluweronline.com/issn/0032-079X/contents ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 ObjectType-Article-2 ObjectType-Feature-1 |
ISSN: | 0032-079X 1573-5036 |
DOI: | 10.1007/s11104-004-1651-z |