Effects of planting density of Salicornia bigelovii under seawater irrigation on mineral contents in plants and saline soils

The effect of planting density (PD) on the growth and nutrient absorption of Salicornia bigelovii was examined under salt (NaCl) treatments. The dry weight of shoot increased in response to PD. The increment in dry matter reached peak value at a certain PD. The dry weight per plant decreased in response to PD owing to individual competition. The electric conductivity (EC) value and the salt content of the soil decreased conspicuously in response to PD. The absorption of sodium (Na) by plant was 261.22 g/m2 under the PD of 56 plants/m2. It increased to 489.99 g/m2 under 336 plants/m2. The mineral contents in plants tended to decrease slightly in response to PD. Carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) content in shoot increased in response to PD.