Effect of Soil Salinity on Growth and Biomass Attributes of Clonal Eucalyptus

Krishna Mohan Bhargava; Avtar Singh; Ashok Kumar

Volume : III, Issue : VI, June - 2014

Effect of Soil Salinity on Growth and Biomass Attributes of Clonal Eucalyptus

Krishna Mohan Bhargava, Avtar Singh, Ashok Kumar

Abstract :

The inland salinity areas are one of the major problems which are continuously expanding, depending on natural underground salt, unsustainable agricultural cultivation, low quality irrigation, industrial waste and human-induced salinization in the different part of world. Reforestation is one of the most practical and effective strategies to solve the problem of saline soil through phytoremediation. In this direction Eucalyptus tree cause remediation of saline and waterlogged soil in terms of lowering saline water table, using underground water. Different clones have different tolerance level. It was observed that clone no. 413 attained maximum plant height and collar diameter at all salinity levels whereas clone no. 288 was at lowest rank in plant height and clone no. 2070 lowest in collar diameter among the clones tested. When number of anches were calculated Clone no. 288 holds maximum numbers while clone no. 2070 was having least number of anches at all levels of salinity. Clone no. 2070 attained maximum total leaf area whereas Clone no. 413 recorded least total leaf area. Clone no. 288 remains best and Clone no. 2070 lowest in rank among all biomass parameters viz. Dry shoot, Dry root weight, Total biomass etc. except Root: shoot. In this reference clone No. 413 is best.