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<br />If, a <br /> <br />Eyaluating the Ability of Three Forage Species to <br />Tolerate Hi~h Saline Conditions in Colorado <br /> <br />G.5, Banuelos, Plant/Soil Scientist, USDA, ARS. Water Management Research Laboratory, <br />2021 South Peach Avenue, Fresno, California 93727. <br />PR Beuselinck, Research Geneticist, USDA, ARS, 207 Waters Hall, University of Missouri, <br />Columbia, Missouri 65211. <br /> <br />Objective <br /> <br />The objective of this study is to compare biomass production and chloride accumulation of <br />different forage species, e,g., Birdsfool trefoil and Tall fescue, grown under saline soil conditions <br />found at specific sites in Colorado <br /> <br />Methods and Materials <br /> <br />Salt tolerance, chloride (el') accumulation, and biomass production by selected plant species will <br />be evaluated ullder greenhouse conditions in Fresno, California. Commencing Sept~mber 1,1997, <br />the proposed plant species are as follows: BroadJeafed Birdsfoot trefoil (Lolus COrtl/ClllllIIiS c\'. <br />Steadfast), Narrowleflfed Birdsfoot trefoll ([.0111.1 gl"ber cv HMB), Tall fescue (f"i!~IIIC" <br />arllndl"aci!(I cv. lJta). <br /> <br />The eKperimental design is a completely randomi:ted block with siK replications (pots) for each <br />species growing in the problem soil (yet to be provided to the USDA). In addition, there will be <br />three replications for each species growing in control soil (these pOts will be design~ted as <br />"controls"), Eighteen liter growing pots will be llIied with approKimately 10 kg of Sent soil that <br />has been throughly mixed by a mechanical mixer and passed through a 5 mm mesh, <br /> <br />The irrigation will be synthetically constructed based on the actUal compostion of the water to be <br />used at the field site, Watering will be based UPOn approximated evapotranspiration losses <br />determined by periodic weighing. Seeds from the above plant species will be sown 2 cm deep into <br />each pot. Plants will be grown in a temperature-controlled greenhouse using a 24"ZoC day/night <br />temperature regime with an average photon flux density of 400 !-lillol M"S.1 (measured with a <br />Licor Quantum Radiometer). <br /> <br />Approximately 90-120 days after plaming, all plant species will be completely harvested :< cm <br />abo\'e the soil surface. Harvested plant materials will be oven dried at 50.C for 7 d, dry matter <br />recorded. and then ground in a stainless steel Wiley mill equipped with a 1 mm mesh screen. <br />Tissue ct. concentrations will be determined pot~ntiometricalJy after microwave acid digestion. <br />Soil electrical conductivity. pH, and selected water soluble elements will be determined from iI <br />saturated soil paste from soil samples collected at preplant and final from selected pots, <br /> <br />,", <br /> <br />I-rl lil"-tC':r:..l-l 'T..n.liYI_I-Ir'TCiI 1.1"-:>.1-1 <br /> <br />n~.o~ J~~T_O~~~~ <br />