Author(s)

Pijush Kanti Ghosh^*, Md. Shafiqul Islam, Sarder Safiqul Islam

Agrotechnology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh.

Salinity is the major limiting factor for forage productivity in southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh. Some introduced forage cultivars have been shown promising adaptability in saline conditions. The objective of this study was to assess the productivity and measure the agronomic characteristics of several introduced grass species with different created soil salinity levels. This study was conducted at the net house of Dr. Purnendu Gain Field Laboratory, Agrotechnology Discipline, and Khulna University during the period from December 2017 to February 2018. The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized complete block design with seven replications. The experiment consisted of two factor viz. soil salinity levels (S₁ = 0.48, S₂ = 5.8, S₃ = 7.9, S₄ = 9.4, S₅ = 15 d·Sm⁻¹) and thirteen forage genotypes. Salinity levels and forage genotypes significantly (p < 0.05) influence all the growth parameters and biomass yield. The growth parameters and yield gradually decreased with the advance of soil salinity level. The tallest plant height (109.85 cm) was found in S₁ at 90 DAS while the shortest plant (24.53 cm) was obtained in S₅ at 90 DAS. Soil salinity had a significant difference (p < 0.001) on plant height at 90 DAS. The highest numbers of tillers (3.36) were found in S₁, whereas the lowest (0.48) was in S₅ at 75 DAS. Soil salinity had a significant difference (p < 0.001) on Number of tillers at 75 DAS. The highest biomass wt. (29.14 g) was found in S₁, while the lowest biomass wt. (3.52 g) was obtained in S₅ at 60 DAS. Soil salinity had a significant difference (p < 0.001) on biomass wt. at 60 DAS. The highest dry matter% (DM%) (21.24%) was found in S₄, while the lowest DM (18.74%) was obtained in S₁ at 60 DAS. Soil salinity had a significant difference (p < 0.001) on dry matter% (DM%) wt. at 90 DAS. The tallest plant height (81.93 cm) was found in Pakchong, while the shortest plant (20.13 cm) was obtained in Endropogan at 60DAS. Soil salinity had a significant difference (p < 0.001) on plant height at 60 DAS. The highest numbers of tillers (3.07) were also found in Napier-3, whereas the lowest (0.80) was in H. Jaumbo at 75 DAS (S₁ + S₂ + S₃ + S₄ + S₅). Soil salinity had a significant difference (p < 0.001) on Number of tillers at 75 DAS. The highest biomass wt. (38.60 g) was found in Pakchong, while the lowest biomass wt. (4.49 g) was obtained in Oats at 60 DAS. Soil salinity had a significant difference (p < 0.001) on biomass wt. at 60 DAS (S₁ + S₂ + S₃ + S₄ + S₅). The highest (DM%) was found in Endropogan (24.68%), while the lowest DM (18.37%) was obtained Spelindida. Soil salinity had a significant difference (p < 0.001) on DM at 90 DAS. It can be concluded that Pakchong appears to be highly salt tolerant.

Effect, Salinity Stress, Growth, Yield of Forage Genotypes

Ghosh, P. , Islam, M. and Islam, S. (2021) Effect of Salinity Stress on Growth and Yield of Forage Genotypes. Agricultural Sciences, 12, 949-959. doi: 10.4236/as.2021.129061.