Influence of Saline Water on the Survival, Growth and Development of Chiku (Achras Zapota L.) Saplings

Abstract

Open field pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of saline water having Ec_iw 0, 2, 4, 8 and 12 (ds m^-1) on the growth and development of chiku plants at early stage. The data on growth and growth traits were noted for two times i.e. after three and six months planting. Ion (Na⁺ and K⁺) analysis were done using the sap extracted from youngest fully expanded leaves sampled after six months of planting. It is obvious from the data recorded after three months of planting that compared to canal water, chiku plants irrigated with 2, 4, 8 and 12 EC_iw water presented in plant height, number of leaves, number of branches and stem girth plant^-1 6, 18, 19 and 26%, 25, 35, 47 and 51%, 44, 55, 55 and 66% and 15, 21, 26 and 42% decrease respectively. After six months of stressing same plants displayed 20, 29, 30 and 40%, 44, 45, 60 and 74%, 33, 50, 58 and 66% and 15, 15, 26 and 36% reduction respectively. As associated to freshwater irrigated plants, the chiku plants getting 2, 4, 8 and 12 Ec_iw (dS m^-1) water had 0, 11, 11 and 22% more Na⁺ 21, 32, 37 and 51% lower K⁺ in the leaf sap. Developed concentration of K⁺ resulted in lower K⁺/Na⁺ ratio in the leaf sap. It is determined from this study that chiku (Achras zapota L.) is a salt-tolerant plant species particularly at initial growth stage, it can positively be grown with saline water having EC_iw up to 08 (dS m^-1).

Keywords: Saline, Chiku, Plants, Seedlings, growth and reduction