Recovery of saline soils by sowing of Grama Rhodes (Chloris gayana Kunth.) cv. Callide, on the Plain Depressed of the limit Tucuman-Santiago del Estero

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the recovery of saline soils by sowing Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana Kunth.) cv. Callide at the east of the Plain Depressed of Tucuman and also at east and west of Santiago del Estero,
through the measurement of halomorfism indicators parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and organic matter (OM). The study was carried out in a cattle farm located on the border between Leales Department
(Tucuman Province) and Rio Hondo Department (Santiago del Estero Province), in the Depressed Saline Semiarid Plain. The sowing of Rhodes grass was carried out by broadcasting at a density of 8 kg/ha during the first half
of march 1998 on 3 plots of 50 x 20 m (1000 m2). During the years of the experiment, the pasture was rationally managed with 3 grazing per campaign. Soil samples were obtained at the beginning (1998) and at the end (2010) of
the experiment, using auger blade in each of the test sites at depths of 0-20, 20-40 and 40-60 cm. The percentages of pasture coverage, mulch, weeds and bare soil at the beginning of each cycle were measured by means of 10
m long transects (1 in each experimental plot). Results show a reduction in pH and EC towards the end of the experiment, at all depths evaluated. At the same time, a significant improvement is verified in soil OM content. The findings indicate that by incorporating biomass of Rhodes grass cv. Callide in halomorfism conditions, soil properties improved through a reduction in pH and EC values and that the contribution of plant residues due to
the forage biomass produced, determine a significant increase in soil OM content.