Resistance of Selected Eucalptys Species to Soil Salinity in Western Australia

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Abstract
(1) The salt resistance of twelve Eucalyptus species was assessed for their potential use for revegetation of salt-affected land in Western Australia. (2) The best survival, health and growth of species at high soil salinities was by Eucalyptus occidentalis Endl., E. sargentii Maiden and E. platypus Hook. var. heterophylla Blakely. These species resisted ECe (electrical conductivity of saturated soil extract) values greater than 3000 mS m-1. E. spathulata Hook. and E. diptera C. Andrews also ranked as two of the most salt-resistant species, but because of their very poor survival at the experimental site the results should be viewed with caution. Moderately salt-resistant species were E. wandoo Blakely, E. salmonophloia F. Muell., E. kondininensis Maiden and Blakely, and E. loxophleba Benth. (3) E. rudis Endl., E. camaldulensis Dehn. and E. robusta Sm. were the most salt-sensitive species tested. E. camaldulensis had low survival in saline soils and trees showed poor health and vigour at soil salinities greater than 1000 mS m-1. The majority of E. robusta seedlings died at soil salinities less than 750 mS m-1.