Plants, trees and shrubs

Atriplex shrubs growing in drought stressed conditions in Southern Tasmania.

The planting regime combines a number of different plant species, mainly legumes and halophytes, using planting techniques intended to qualify the plantations as carbon sinks.

The species to be tested and developed by Utas are those identified by Professor Shabala and his colleagues from their experience using saline agriculture from around the world, as well as a significant number of species applied successfully by Anastasiou on the Greek islands of the Mediterranean and in the Middle East.

All species are readily available in Australia and qualify as native flora.

There is flexibility within the regime for different species to achieve different outcomes. Mostly they require bio-diverse and companionship planting techniques.

This species of legume is pictured here growing naturally in arid desert conditions where the annual rainfall is negligible. We refer to it as a desert lucerne.

Close up photo of desert lucerne foliage depicted in previous picture

Providing highly nutritious fodder for all livestock, on the Greek island of Tenos, Anastasiou used this desert lucerne to reduce the reliance of the local dairy industry on water by an amazing 90%

The seeds contain high levels of unsaturated oil (mostly linololeic acid) and protein to 35% with some testing showing 225 – 250 gallons of BQ – 9000 biodiesel per hectare.

Some halophytes are perennial and this species is ideal for coastland and seaboard growth

This species can tolerate total immersion in salt water.

Crop harvesting in Europe

Seedlings (desert lucerne) grown for stock and trial purposes, Scottsdale, Tasmania

Legume seedlings grown for stock and trial purposes, Scottsdale, Tasmania