Page 159 - Final Report Improving information and developing a repository of sustainable soil management practices in Asia

ห้องสมุดกรมพัฒนาที่ดิน

14. EXTENDING PLANTING THE HALOPHYTIC GRASS (DIXIE GRASS) IN THE

AREAS OF SEVERELY SALINE SOIL

1. General Information and description of best practice/technology

Introduction

The government promotes planting Dixie grass to control areas with severely saline soil as

well as restoring the ecosystem and preventing salt distribution under the cooperation of the land

owner, farmers, soil doctors, local authorities and experts in fields.

Regarding extending planting Dixie grass in the areas of salt-affected soils, Land

Development Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has a project in restoring
areas with severely saline soil by planting salt tolerant perennials and halophytic grasses in the

northeastern part of Thailand. The project started in 1996 and has been operated. The project

supports planting the halophytic grass (Dixie grass) on deserted areas with severely saline soil.
The main objective is to disseminate to farmers to use the land for maximum benefits and to

prevent saline soil distribution by planting Dixie grass to cover the ground, and to restore the
ecosystem of salt-affected soil. The first activity is to do public hearing from people in the

community, to specify the area severely affected from salt and to prepare demonstration plots on
farmers' areas as a learning center. Then, cooperating with administrative organizations was

conducted. Before preparing the demonstration plot, officers hold a meeting with farmers for

brainstorming regarding weakness, strength, opportunities and obstacles of planting Dixie grass
on areas with severely saline soil. The demonstration plot consists of activities for 4 steps as

follows: Step 1- Preparing Dixie grass seedlings, selecting areas, preparing soil, public hearing
and preparing demonstration plots at Dan Chang sub-district, Bua Yai district, Nakhon Ratchasima

province in the area of severely saline soil; Step 2- Coordinating with researchers and farmers who
are the owner of the area for planning together the operation and monitoring and assessing results

on the operation; Step 3- When farmers are selected, the officers demonstrate the method of

planting and propagating Dixie grass as well as taking farmers for the study tour in the achieved
area in Northeastern Thailand; and Step 4 - Regarding the extension, officers will take farmers

participating in the project for 3 years to come to extend and propagate results of the work with

achievement of Mr. Chalong Munkarn. Previously, the area was very salty that plants could not be

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