Compost Enhances Forage Yield and Quality of River Saltbush in Arid Conditions

High temperatures and water scarcity are among the main obstacles to producing fodder in arid regions. Saltbush shrubs are used for livestock in many arid regions, especially in saline conditions, due to their high salt tolerance. The produced forage materials under these saline conditions are often low in quantity and quality. This article presents field studies that were conducted for two growing seasons to evaluate the forage yield and quality of river saltbush (Atriplex amnicola Paul G. Wilson) as a function of compost application. The plants were cultivated in saline soil (15 dS m(-1)), and compost was added at four rates (0, 5, 10, and 15 t ha(-1)). River saltbush plant produced 9.23-15.60 t ha(-1) of stems and 4.25-7.20 t ha(-1) of leaves yearly (over all the treatments). The crude protein (CP) ranged between 48-70 g kg(-1) in the stems and between 160-240 g kg(-1) in the leaves (over all the treatments). The forage yield, crude protein, dry matter, and mineral contents of the tested plant increased significantly (p < 0.05) due to compost addition. The application of 5, 10, and 15 t ha(-1) of compost reduced the Na+ concentrations in the leaves by 14, 16, and 19% (as means of two years) compared with the control. In the same trend, these rates reduced the oxalate concentrations in the leaves by 38, 30, and 29% (as means of two years) compared with the control. Our results show that compost application improves the activity of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and catalase (CAT). Compost reduces the adverse impacts of soil salinity by improving the photosynthesis process and increasing the activity of antioxidant defense. Compost also enhances the growth of river saltbush plants cultivated in saline soils, thus, enhancing their value as animal feed. Halophyte plants can be used to utilize saline soils that are not suitable for traditional production. Compost addition is a good agricultural strategy to increase growth and reduce the negative effects of salts.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the forage yield and quality of river saltbush as affected by compost application in saline soil. Compost addition increased forage yield, crude protein content, and mineral content, while reducing Na+ and oxalate concentrations in the leaves. Compost also improved the activity of polyphenol oxidase and catalase, alleviating the negative effects of soil salinity and enhancing the growth of river saltbush plants, making them valuable as animal feed.