EFFECT OF SALINITY AND SAR OF IRRIGATION WATER ON YIELD, PHYSIOLOGICAL GROWTH PARAMETERS OF MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.) AND PROPERTIES OF THE SOIL

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of salinity and SAR of irrigation water on the growth, yield, physiological growth parameters and properties of the soil. Total nine treatment combinations having different ECiw (2, 4 and 6 dS m-1) and SARiw [10, 15 and 20 (mmol L-1)1/2] levels were applied to polythene-cemented pot containing 15-kg loamy soil. It was observed that whole of the soil profile attained ECe > 4.0 dS m-1 (with all the levels of ECiw and SARiw) and SAR values > 13.3 [with ECiw 6 dS m-1 and SAR 20 (mmol L-1)1/2] which are the upper limits for saline-sodic soils. Height and biomass yield, relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR) and relative leaf growth rate were depressed with ECiw and SARiw. However, the effect of these water quality parameters were more pronounced on growth parameters at higher than that at lower levels of ECiw and SARiw. Results divulged that maize  variety Sultan could tolerate ECiw up to 2.0 dS m-1 and SARiw up to 10 (mmol L^-1)^1/2.