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Background <p>Determining the optimal amount of bentonite for large-scale sandy land rehabilitation is essential not only to maximize plant trait improvement but also to ensure economic viability. In this study, a gradient of bentonite concentrations ranging from 0 to 50&#xa0;g kg⁻¹ soil with regular intervals of 2&#xa0;g kg⁻¹ (0, 2, 4, …, 50&#xa0;g kg⁻¹; 26 rates in total) was applied to sandy soil.</p> Methods <p>The effects were evaluated on three different plant life forms: herbaceous <i>Fortuynia bungei</i>, shrub <i>Calligonum comosum</i>, and tree <i>Ziziphus spina-christi</i>. The morphophysiological traits measured included chlorophyll, height, biomass, total sugars, total protein, as well as the activities of antioxidant enzymes.</p> Results <p>The different levels of bentonite significantly altered the morphophysiological traits of all three plant life forms (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05). Bentonite application caused a significant increase in chlorophyll, height, biomass, total sugars, and total protein, while it decreased the catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione reductase (GR). However, plant traits and soil properties did not change linearly in response to bentonite application. Specifically, the application of 25–30, 20–25, and 15–20&#xa0;g kg⁻¹ bentonite was associated with the maximum changes in the morphophysiological traits of <i>F. bungei</i>, <i>C. comosum</i>, and <i>Z. spina-christi</i>, respectively (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05). Bentonite application resulted in 150.0%, − 3.0%, 7.5%, and 27.0% changes in cation exchange capacity (CEC), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and potassium (K), respectively. Bentonite application within specific concentration ranges can significantly improve plant growth and soil properties in sandy soils. The optimal rates are species dependent, with herbaceous plants requiring the highest bentonite levels (25–30&#xa0;g kg⁻¹), followed by shrubs (20–25&#xa0;g kg⁻¹) and trees (15–20&#xa0;g kg⁻¹).</p> Conclusion <p>These findings enable land managers to avoid costly over-application of bentonite while maximizing plant performance for each life form. Furthermore, the species-specific optima determined here provide a practical framework for scaling up arid land rehabilitation programs with both ecological and economic efficiency.</p>

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Optimum bentonite rates for improving herbaceous, shrub, and tree in arid sandy soils

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年8月4日

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  • Abbass Darini,
  • Mohammad Jafari,
  • Ali Tavili,
  • Hossein Arzani,
  • Seyed Akbar Javadi

摘要

Background

Determining the optimal amount of bentonite for large-scale sandy land rehabilitation is essential not only to maximize plant trait improvement but also to ensure economic viability. In this study, a gradient of bentonite concentrations ranging from 0 to 50 g kg⁻¹ soil with regular intervals of 2 g kg⁻¹ (0, 2, 4, …, 50 g kg⁻¹; 26 rates in total) was applied to sandy soil.

Methods

The effects were evaluated on three different plant life forms: herbaceous Fortuynia bungei, shrub Calligonum comosum, and tree Ziziphus spina-christi. The morphophysiological traits measured included chlorophyll, height, biomass, total sugars, total protein, as well as the activities of antioxidant enzymes.

Results

The different levels of bentonite significantly altered the morphophysiological traits of all three plant life forms (P < 0.05). Bentonite application caused a significant increase in chlorophyll, height, biomass, total sugars, and total protein, while it decreased the catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione reductase (GR). However, plant traits and soil properties did not change linearly in response to bentonite application. Specifically, the application of 25–30, 20–25, and 15–20 g kg⁻¹ bentonite was associated with the maximum changes in the morphophysiological traits of F. bungei, C. comosum, and Z. spina-christi, respectively (P < 0.05). Bentonite application resulted in 150.0%, − 3.0%, 7.5%, and 27.0% changes in cation exchange capacity (CEC), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and potassium (K), respectively. Bentonite application within specific concentration ranges can significantly improve plant growth and soil properties in sandy soils. The optimal rates are species dependent, with herbaceous plants requiring the highest bentonite levels (25–30 g kg⁻¹), followed by shrubs (20–25 g kg⁻¹) and trees (15–20 g kg⁻¹).

Conclusion

These findings enable land managers to avoid costly over-application of bentonite while maximizing plant performance for each life form. Furthermore, the species-specific optima determined here provide a practical framework for scaling up arid land rehabilitation programs with both ecological and economic efficiency.