Remediation of Salt-impacted Soils: Use of Barley

This field study followed an earlier (2008) greenhouse study which quantified the uptake of produced water ions in barley shoot, root and seed biomass to ascertain the suitability of managing low risk saline sites with barley. Rather than allowing these agricultural sites to be grassed, productivity may be able to be maintained with salt-tolerant crops like barley. This field study aimed to confirm the findings of the 2008 greenhouse study, which found that barley grown on salt-impacted soil can safely be consumed by livestock, and to learn whether soil amendments impact ion concentration in barley plant matter.

This study confirmed earlier findings that barley grown on saline soil is suitable for livestock feed and supports its use in low risk saline site management. It is unlikely to result in soil meeting regulatory criteria in the short term, but may improve soil permeability through addition of organic material from root decomposition, which can enhance salt leaching out of the root zone. Other than Cl in shoot matter, soil amendments did not impact ion concentration in barley yield, but a more rigorous study using humalite is warranted, since plot flooding and microtography were issues at the site. Barley could also potentially be used for ethanol production.