Screening of Medicinal Crops at Various Salinity and Sodicity Levels

Abstract

Biosaline agriculture is an alternative approach for effective utilization of salt affected by exploring the genetic potential of suitable salt tolerant plant species thereby growing crop plants ultiamtely resulting into reclamation of problematic soils. In this context, a pot experiment was conducted for consecutive three-years to study the ability of salt tolerance of some medicinal plants having some economical importantance i.e.,Guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.), Niazbo (Ocimum basilicum), Alovera (Aloe barbadensis Miller),Lemon grass (Cymbopogon flexuosus), linseed (Linum Usitatissium), Taramira (Eruca sativa Mill), Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) and White Zeeri (Cuminum cyminum L.) against different salinity levels having EC_e (0.70, 6 & 8 dS m^-1) & SAR (1.93, 25 and 35). Biomass yield data of each medicinal plant was recorded after four months of its cultivation. Results depicted that highest level of salinity (8 dS m^-1) & sodicity (35 SAR) reduced the biomass yield of Guar (46.09%), Niazboo (47.96%), Alovera (34.40%), Lemon Grass (48.77%), Linseed (39.57%), Taramira (45.84%), Coriander (28.17%) and White Zeeri by (49.93%) over control. However, combined effect of EC_e & SAR (6 dS m^-1+ 25 SAR) resulted in better yield performance of medicinal plants and biomass reduction was only 9.64% in Niazbo to 24.46% in Taramira over control. It is concluded from the results that these herbs can be grown successfully at the medium level of salinity (6 dS m^-1) and sodicity (25 SAR)