The Relation Between Soil Salinity and Site Productivity of a Coastal Bend Sudangrass Pasture

Abstract

A site with a history of patchy plant growth and salt spills from oil and gas drilling activities was studied to determine the relation between soil salinity and site productivity of a sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense) pasture. Soils were sampled and site productivity was evaluated along a 1600-foot transect. On sites with poor productivity, soil salinity values (by EC) were greater in the 36 to 48 inch depth than in upper depths. Site productivity related significantly (P = 0.05) to soil salinity by both linear and quadratic models, but the boundary line method was judged to be the best method for describing the relation.