Soil-Plant Factors in Early Browning of Russian Wildrye on Natrustoll Soils

Abstract

The occurrence of early browning in selected areas of a 1979-established Russian wildrye (Elymus junceus Fisch.) plot led to a comparison of soil-plant-water relationships in the brown senescing areas, and in adjacent green healthy areas. Although the green areas exhibited better nutrient status and less salinity-sodicity associated problems than the brown areas, the main problem and cause for this premature browning appeared to be water related.