Effect of amendment on plant growth, biomass production and biochemical constitutents of aonla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn) cv. Chakaiya in sodic soil

Abstract

The experiment was conducted at Janta Post Graduate College, Bakewar, Etawah (UP) in sodic soil having ESP (70.63), EC (0.78 dS/m) and pH (10.35). One year old budded plants of aonla cv Chakaiya were planted at 8 m X 8 m spacing in 1.0 cubic meter sized pits amended with gypsum, pyrite, usar tor masala, press mud (each at 50% GR value) and pond sediment (complete replacement) along with control. Pits were filled uniformly with a mixture of top soil, amendment, well decomposed FYM (50 kg) and sand (20 kg). The results showed definite improvement in plant growth and biomass yield over control. Replacement of sodic soil with pond sediments resulted in maximum growth and total biomass yield followed by use of pyrite. Root shoot ratio was maximum in pond sediment followed by the plants treated with usar tor masala. Above ground biomass distribution showed the highest concentration in stem followed by those in leaves and branches. Pond sediment treatment showed equitable distribution of biomass in different plant parts, whereas gypsum treated and control plants accumulated the highest proportion of biomass in stem. The analysis of biochemical constituents in leaves showed that total sugar, non-reducing sugar and acidity were the highest in control, closely followed by gypsum and press-mud applied treatments, whereas a reverse trend was noted with respect to reducing sugar, starch, crude protein and ascorbic acid contents. Carbohydrate content in leaves did not exhibit any significant variation.