Panicum virgatum improvement of coastal saline-alkali soil and its feeding values

To explore the effect of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in improving saline-alkali soil and its feeding value, we conducted a field experiment in the saline-alkali land of the Yellow River Delta and a feeding experiment on a family farm. We further studied the improvement effect of switchgrass planted at different densities over the course of four years on saline-alkali land and elucidated the effects of switchgrass feeding on growth performance of Lubo goats. Switchgrass with a planting density of 1 m × 1 m increased the soil organic matter by 55% (P = 0.09) and decreased the salt content by 59% (P < 0.05) after four years of planting. Both planting densities (1 m × 1 m and 1 m × 3 m) of switchgrass significantly reduced the contents of most heavy metals in soil (P < 0.05). The feeding experiment demonstrated that mixtures of switchgrass and peanut straw promoted the growth of Lubo goats to different degrees, with a switchgrass-to-peanut straw ratio of 3 ꞉ 7 being the best. Our study suggests that switchgrass with a planting density of 1 m × 1 m can effectively improve coastal saline-alkali soil fertility and has a certain feeding value. The findings will be important for the development of grass-based livestock husbandry in the saline-alkali land of the Yellow River Delta.