Results and achievements of work package 1

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WP 1 | WP 2 | WP 3 | WP 4 | WP 5 | WP 6
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Consortium members agreed on a joint methodology set up during the Kick-Off meeting, selecting highly salinity tolerant and fast growing tree species and establishing the necessary equipment. Germplasm was ordered at the Australian Tree Seed Centre and distributed to the project partners by ICBA. Growth, biomass, soil and water data were constantly monitored during the experiment. The photos below show pot trials conducted at BARI (Bangladesh) with the pot trial set up (right) and harvesting biomass (left).

Although the seed originated from a certified tree seed centre and a number of required pre-treatments were conducted, the germination ratio of a number of species was very low. It was therefore decided to pro-longue the pot trials and conduct a second and third set of pot trial experiments. To see an overview of the species tested in the first and second round follow this link.

The first results from the different institutes were compared during the annual meeting. During a workshop organised by ICBA the results from the first set of pot trials were compared and the methodology for the establishment of a relative growth function in relation to the different salinity levels was introduced.

The salinity growth function for the trials used in WP1 is best expressed in a sigmoidal or a threshold curve. This methodology originated from the USDA Salinity Laboratory in the United States. The first set of available data were statistically analysed and threshold values for the different species determined. The threshold value indicate the salinity level (ECe) at which maximum yield is observed. The salinity curves further show ECe values where 50 and 0% yield are expected. In order to get a better expression of the salinity thresholds at high salinity levels, it was decided to extend the pot trials up to a salinity level of 40 dS/m in the second and third round of pot trials.  The graph above shows a salinity threshold curve for Acacia ampliceps. This trial was conducted at ICBA.

During the meeting in April 2010 in Delhi preliminary results of WP 1 were presented to the BIOSAFOR consortium and a wider audience including the Indian Ministry of Agriculture and the European Union, Delegation to India.

Deliverables will soon be published on this homepage.