Effects of water table conditions in soil on the growth and nutrient distributions of halophytic Tamarix chinensis Lour.

Abstract

Tamarix chinensis distributes from north China to Mongolia and has salt and flooding tolerance. In this study, effects of water table in soil on the growth and nutrient distributions of Tamarix chinensis were studied using the cuttings grown under four water table conditions, at the constant depth of 35 cm from the soil surface (WTC₃₅), 25 cm (WTC₂₅), and at the fluctuated depth from 15 cm to 35 cm(WTC_15-35), and from 25 cm to 35 cm (WTC_25-35). There were significant differences in diameter growth and biomass between high water table treatments (WTC₂₅ and WTC_15-35) and low water table treatments (WTC₃₅ and WTC_25-35). The quantity of available water in high water table treatments was more than low water table treatments. Then growth of Tamarix chinensis might be higher under high water table conditions. Furthermore, roots distributed and salt accumulated on the soil layer of maximum water table in water table fluctuation treatments (WTC_15-35 and WTC_25-35). Consequently in water table fluctuation treatments, more salt was absorbed and accumulated than constant water table treatments.