Salt Tolerance of Two Saltbush Species Grown in Processed Oil Shale

Abstract

The tolerance of fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens) and cuneate saltbush (Atriplex cuneata) to the salts in processed oil shale was studied in a greenhouse experiment over an Ece range of 4 to 38 mmho/cm. Growth responses differed, depending on the species and the particular salt or salts in the soil solution. Cuneate saltbush was more salt tolerant than fourwing saltbush, but both species survived and grew at salinities as high as 38 mmho/cm. Because of their high salt tolerance these saltbush species may be very important for use in the rehabilitation of processed oil shale disposal sites.