Testing of plants for salt tolerance

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The table below shows which plants can tolerate having 18 applications of 60% and 90% strength sea water applied to them over a 4 month period. The best are at the top of the table, but all plants except those in the shaded area based on this investigation, would be good for coastal areas with salt laden winds, or for use with reasonably elevated levels of salty water.

Botanical Name Trade Name Average percentage damage from 18 applications of 60% and 90% salt water.
Dianella caerulea 'John 316' King Alfred Best performer 8.5
Lomandra longifolia 'LM400' Nyalla 9.5
Lomandra confertifolia 'Sir 5' Wingarra 12.5
Dianella caerulea 'DCMP01' Little Becca 15
Lomandra long. 'Katrinus Deluxe' Katrinus Deluxe 15
Dianella caerulea 'DCNC0' Becca 15
Pennisetum alopecuroides'Nafray' Nafray 16.25
Dianella revoluta DR'5000' Little Rev 17.25
Poa labilardieri 'Eskdale' Eskdale 17.5
Dianella tasmanica 'TR20' Tasred 20
Lomandra longifolia 'LM300' Breeze 20
Lomandra hystrix 'LHBYF' Katie Belles 20
Dianella caerulea 'DBB03' Cassa Blue 22.75
Anigozanthos flavidus Gold Velvet 45
Lomandra hystrix 'LHCOM' TropicBelle 70
Lomandra filiformis 'LMF500' Savannah Blue 100

This investigation provides evidence that many Ozbreed plants can cope with relatively high salt laden winds, or reasonable amounts of salty water. It does not quantify how much salt water in parts per million each plant can tolerate over a long period, but it does indicate which plants would tolerate higher levels of salt water in general. For example, if someone was using a salty bore, or grey water with high salt content, it would be safer to use one of the plants that scored better in this test. If a coastal site needed to be revegetated, it would also be safer to use one of the plants that scored better in this test.

For a full copy of this investigation download PDF:

 

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