1. Can saltland pastures lower the water table and reduce salinity ?

Yes, in some situations. In low relief landscapes such as those found in the eastern wheatbelt, groundwater movement is often vertical (rise and fall), other than lateral (sideways movement). This means that when deep rooted perennials (such as saltbush) are planted in valley floors, they not only reduce in situ recharge, but in some circumstances will use saline the groundwater. The degree to which saltbush can use groundwater will be affected by the salinity, pH and presence of toxic ions in the groundwater. Also saltbush will use non-saline water (from annual rainfall) before it uses saline groundwater. At present we expect some use of groundwater in summer at salinities up to about sea-water concentrations. However, saltbushes may die if the groundwater is highly acid (pH values around 4) with toxic concentrations of dissolved aluminium.

2. Is growing saltland pastures the answer to the salinity problem ?

No, there is no one answer to solving salinity. Managing salinity often requires a combination of management options including the growth of a wide range of trees and perennial pastures, water management earthworks and saltland pastures.

3. Which is the best species of saltbush to grow ?

At present, there is no best species of saltbush, and planting mixtures helps to ensure establishment success and long-term survival. The three most commonly used species are old man (Atriplex nummularia), river (Atriplex amnicola) and wavy leaf (Atriplex undulata) saltbush. Look at our 'Plants for Saltland' page for more details on species selection.

4. What plants can I grow in the samphire zone ?

Usually the samphire zone is too saline and waterlogged to grow pasture. The best management for these areas is to fence them off from stock, so that they can regenerate naturally. This will have the beneficial effect of decreasing soil erosion off these sites, and may also improve the value of sites as habitats for wildlife.

5. What are the benefits of becoming an SPA member ?

SPA members are kept up to date on the latest in productive saltland through quarterly newsletters, field days and email updates. Check out the 'Join SPA' page for more details. As an SPA member you will also have the satisfaction of knowing that you are a member of Australia 's premier farmer group pressing for the development of new productive and profitable uses for saltland.

6. Where can I buy saltbush and pasture seed/seedlings ?

Most local nurseries now sell a variety of saltbush seedlings. Remember to ask them where the seed was sourced from and do they have any improved varieties. Seedlings usually cost around 25 cents each, but discounts may be given for large orders.

Few agricultural seed suppliers stock saltbush seed. Generally larger native seed suppliers stock a variety of saltbush species, or often larger saltland farmers will sell seed direct.

Generally all common salt tolerant understorey species can be bought from agricultural pasture seed suppliers.

7. What is the best way to establish saltbush ?

The best way to establish saltbush depends on species and soil type. Generally, direct seeding using a niche seeder is successful on sandy surfaced soils, with the exception of river saltbush. Direct seeding is much more cost effective, but less reliable. On heavy soils, seedlings are a more reliable method. Ripping should be used on all sites to improve water filtration, and mounding is important on waterlogged sites to keep the seedling's roots above the water table. More details on site preparation and establishment can be found in Farmnote 74/2004 on the 'Grazing Management' page.

8. Can my livestock survive on saltbush alone ?

No, sheep grazing saltbush alone will lose weight. This is because saltbush leaves have a high salt content. Sheep can only consume around 200 grams of salt per day, which means they can't eat enough saltbush to maintain or gain weight. However, saltbush does provide a good source of crude protein, and when fed with a low salt, high energy supplement, sheep are more likely to maintain or gain weight. The supplement can be in the form of a good quality hay, or if understorey pasture growth is possible, grasses and clovers. See to the 'Grazing Management' page for more information.

9. How should I design my saltland system ? (row spacings, landscape position, inter-row species)

1. Recognise which salt affected areas to target. Highly saline and waterlogged areas covered in samphire are of little benefit to stock, and should be fenced off.

2. Determine whether the site will support understorey species, and which ones - this will influence design. A good way to determine what species will grow is to look at the indicator species. Sites carrying barley grass are more suited to saltbush and salt tolerant grasses (such as puccinellia and tall what grass). Sites with ryegrass are more likely to be able to support clover species.

3. Decide on saltbush row spacings. On more saline sites, closer rows should be used. On less saline sites, use wider rows. Rows can be 10m wide or more, with the idea of planting grasses and clovers in the inter-row. Distance between seedlings should be at least two metres.

4. Decide on seedlings or seed. This will largely be determined by soil type and species. See FAQ 7. for more information.

5. Site preparation is essential. Spraytopping in the spring prior to planting is useful, and two knockdown applications after the break of season will help control weeds. It is also important to control Red-legged earth mites, especially with pasture legumes. Spaying for RLEM in the spring on you Timerite® day is the most reliable method of control (see www.timerite.com.au for your day).