Behavior of some plant species used as alternatives for salt-affected soil reclamation and treated wastewater valorization

Abstract

Jatropha curcas, Aloe vera and some forest plants were planted in an experimental plot in the Kalaât Landelous region (Tunisia) to evaluate the change of morphological properties, yield and adaptation to the new environmental conditions. The salinity of the soil exceeded 16 dS m-1 due to a shallow and saline water table. J. curcas and A. vera could not be recommended as alternative plants, at least under the local conditions in Kalaât Landelous. The short-term treated wastewater (TWW) irrigation generated no harmful effect on forest plants. The most promising species were Atriplex nummularia, Casuarina glauca, Acacia cyanophylla and Eucalyptus gomphocephala, which showed some resistance to the difficult conditions in the plot.