Growth and yield of some forage grasses grown on salt affected black soils

Abstract

Three experiments were conducted during 1995-97 in Gujarat, India to evaluate the effects of salinity on the performance of different naturally occurring grass species namely Leptochloa fusca [Diplachne fusca], Dichanthium annulatum, Eragrostis sp., Aeluropus lagopoides, Cynodon dactylon, Eulalia trispicata, Eulaliopsis binata and Dactyloctenium aegyptium in black soil and of the two dominant grasses, Diplachne fusca and Dichanthium annulatum under ridge-furrow planting technique with nitrogen fertilizer application. Results showed that among the naturally occurring forage grasses, Diplachne fusca and Dichanthium annulatum obtained the highest green forage yields of 3.74 and 1.85 tonnes ha-1, respectively. Lowest yield of 0.89 tonne ha-1 was obtained by A. lagopoides. Diplachne fusca yielded the highest tillers/plant and maximum height. All grasses except Dichanthium annulatum were found to have high shoot and root ion content. Low shoot ion content and high protein and sugars in the shoots indicated the presence of both salt exclusion and osmotic adjustment. Diplachne fusca and Dichanthium annulatum have grown and yielded well in furrows and ridges, respectively. Nitrogen fertilizer application increased the growth in terms of height and yield of both grasse