EFFECT OF SALINITY AND SODICITY OF WATERS USED FOR SUPPLEMENTAL IRRIGATION ON SOIL PROPERTIES AND GROWTH OF PEARL MILLET (Pennisetum americanum L. (Leeke)
Abstract
A pot experiment was conducted during the kharif season of 1988-89 to find out the effect of levels of EC (3, 6 and 9 dSm'') and Adj. SAR of supplemental irrigation waters (15, 30, 45 and 60) on soil properties (ECE, SAR, ESP and pH), plant height, number of tillers per plant, test weight, grain and stover yield of three varieties (HLBH-10, MH-169 and MBH-130) of pearl millet. The increasing levels of EC and Adj.SAR of irrigation waters increased the ECe, SAR and ESP of soil. The pH of soil increased with increasing Adj. SAR while it decreased with increasing level of EC of irrigation water. The increasing levels of EC and Adj. SAR of irrigation water decreased the plant height, number of tillers per plant, test weight and grain and stover yield. The maximum plant height, tillers, test weight and grain and stover yield were observed in HLBH-10, followed by MH-169 and MBH-130.
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