Role of salinity in tree mortality in southwest Haryana conditions
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Date
2012
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Publisher
CCSHAU
Abstract
This investigation was conducted to find out the effect of native soil salinity on
Dalbergia sissoo and Acacia nilotica growing under field conditions. For each tree 20 nonsaline
(ECe < 4 dS m-1) and 20 saline (ECe > 8 dS m-1) sites were earmarked in Hisar district.
About 7-8 months old leaves were sampled and proceeded for analysis of various
morphological and physiological traits.
It was observed that the leaf area of Dalbergia sissoo showed a decrease of 11.3 %
and Acacia nilotica showed a decrease of 9.81 % under saline conditions as compared to the
non-saline conditions. An increase in the specific leaf weight and total soluble solids was
observed in both the tree species under saline conditions. Salinity also caused membrane
injury in both the species under saline conditions as determined by the increased relative
stress injury index. The trees growing under saline conditions also had a lower water status as
depicted by the relative water content % at the saline sites. Likewise the chlorophyll content
also depicted a decline at the saline sites. Interestingly ,however, total sugars in both
Dalbergia sissoo and Acacia nilotica showed that increase in response to salinity at saline
sites. Both the tree species showed a many fold increase in leaf sodium content. However the
leaf potassium content decreased with a concomitant increase in the Na:K ratio. A many fold
increase in the leaf chloride and sulphate content of both the species was also observed.
It is concluded that the saline site trees of Dalbergia sissoo and Acacia nilotica show
growth inhibition as evidenced by decreased leaf area. The tree species appear to cope up
with the saline stress by osmoregulation due to increased osmolites like sugars. However
disturbed ionic balance due to many fold increase in sodium, chloride and sulphate inhibits
growth over a period of time and results in the tree decline and ultimate mortality.
Description
Keywords
Physical control, Drying, Resins, Storage structures, Land resources, Rice, Application methods, Wood, Budding, Beverages