Rejuvenation of saline soils with saline tolerant forages
- Project No: 2024F2525R
- Lead Researcher(s): Bart Lardner (University of Saskatchewan)
- Collaborators: Jeff Schoenau, Bill Biligetu, Kathy Larson, Bree Kelln (University of Saskatchewan), Blasius Azuhnwi (Peace Country Beef and Forage Association)
- Year Started: 2025
Background
According to Alberta and Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture reports, there are over 1.5 million and 617,000 acres, respectively, in these provinces severely affected by salinity. These high salt concentrations in the soil prevent nutrient and water uptake by plants. Less severely impacted acres are subject to yield reductions and infestations of weeds like kochia or foxtail barley.
Objective
- To evaluate adaptation of forage mixtures on moderate saline soils for yield, quality, competitiveness, and persistence
- Determine the synergies between saline tolerant forages, including grass and legume species, on soil salinity, yield, quality, forage stand composition, persistence, and weed suppression
- Evaluate saline tolerant forage mixtures on soil properties, organic carbon content, and soil microbes
- Evaluate effects of saline tolerant forage mixtures on grazing animal performance and enteric methane emissions
- Conduct an economic analysis of the utilization of forage production on saline soils in different soil zones and grazing management regimes
Implications of the research
Boosting production on these marginal acres and reducing soil salinity would have positive impacts on soil quality and economic returns.
This project is also supported by RDAR.