Effect of Soil Sodicity on the Growth, Ion Content and Yield of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Research Article
Effect of Soil Sodicity on the Growth, Ion Content and Yield of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Journal of Applied Sciences, 2004, 4(4), 649-653.

Abstract

The effect of soil sodicity on growth, ion content and yield of Sarsabz, Marvi and Kiran wheat varieties was investigated in a pot experiment at the Department of Soil Science, Sindh Agriculture University, Tando Jam. Soil was artificially alkalinized to varying levels of ESP ranging from 4 to 25. The results of this study revealed that the effects of soil sodicity increased with increase in ESP levels of the soil. The adverse effects of sodicity on seedling emergence, plant height and yield were associated with high Na⁺, low K⁺ and K⁺/Na⁺ ratio analyzed in the flag leaf sap. There were differences among 3 wheat varieties in terms of the performance in sodic environment. Variety Marvi was observed to be more tolerant to soil sodicity from emergence to maturity. The improved growth and yield of this variety were associated with lower leaf Na⁺ and higher K⁺ and K⁺/Na⁺ ratio than Sarsabz and Kiran. These results indicated that the cause of low wheat yield in sodic soils may be due to poor soil structure caused by high exchangeable Na⁺ and high soil pH. The results of this study support the selection of Marvi for its use in future breeding program to screen out new local genotypes that can tolerate poor soil structure as well as high sodium stress.

ASCI-ID: 35-688

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