Pak. J. Bot., 44: 69-75, Special Issue May 2012.

REHABILITATION OF SALINE ECOSYSTEMS THROUGH CULTIVATION

OF SALT TOLERANT PLANTS
M. YASIN ASHRAF*, ABDUL RASUL AWAN AND KHALID MAHMOOD

Soil Science Division, Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB), Faisalabad, Pakistan
*Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

In Pakistan, salt-affected regions have been drastically disturbed by unchecked activities of local populations. Removal
of deep-rooted perennials and overgrazing destroy the native vegetation leading to rapid desertification. Shallow-rooted
agricultural crops are grown on marginal soils on limited area that is not enough with respect to the spread of salinity
problem. Sustainable restoration of these ecosystems requires a large scale integration of perennial plants (trees, shrubs and
herbs) back in to farming systems. However, salinization processes continue because the available options for cultivation of
perennial plants prove less profitable than agricultural crops. This study relates to resort the salt-affected lands for plant
production and develop a technology for sustainable saline ecosystem. Plants, having salt tolerance potential, have been
identified and introduced on salt-affected wastelands to develop a sustainable ecosystem with increased productivity. The
biomass so produced can be used directly as forage, fuel, and even as food or feed. In addition, fish aquaculture, and some
value-added products make this ecosystem more sustainable. This technology is practically demonstrated at Biosaline
Research Station of Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB), Pakka Anna, Faisalabad, Pakistan. The
marginally saline soils and wastelands ameliorated as a result of growing salt tolerant perennials can also be used for
growing salt tolerant cultivars of conventional crops like wheat, barley and mustard. So, through proper management the
saline ecosystem can become economical and profitable.

Introduction of soils (Boland et al., 1996). The African and South

Asian countries contain 183 x 10 ha of salt-affected land
Productivity of an ecosystem is one of the major (Khan & Glenn, 1996), of which 91 x 10 ha has electrical
factors in maintenance of biological diversity as a source conductivity of the saturation extract (ECe) levels of 1500
of food and other products necessary for heterotrophs mS m-1 within the upper 0.75 to 1.25 m of soil. Such soils
particularly human beings (Aga, 2009; Ahmad et al., are suitable for growing of halophytic plants but not for
2010). Saline ecosystem may be developed due to the normal glycophytic crop plants (Malcolm, 1985). A
erosion, desertification and poor management practices further 11 countries in Central America are critically short
for producing valuable food, forage, fuel and other of land for agriculture but there are only 2 x 10 ha of salt-
products. Saline ecosystems are rapidly increasing and affected land in this region (Ashraf, 2007).
have reached at alarming levels (995 millions hectares) in Saline ecosystems are usually highly erosive, due to
the arid and semi-arid regions of world (Anon., 2001-02; high exchangeable sodium levels; they remain frequently
Abdel-Dayem, 2005; Naz et al., 2010a). Furthermore, bare due to over-utilization, and generate salt and/or soil
scarcity of fresh water due to increasing consumption by laden winds or run-off to streams or adjacent land
human population and its non availability for the (Hameed et al., 2008; Qadir et al., 2009). The poor
agricultural production is the main impediment that leads vegetative cover on many salt-affected areas is ineffective
to secondary salinization of prime agricultural in using saline groundwater; as a consequence
ecosystems. Similarly, the sub-standard canal irrigation groundwater levels are unnecessarily high and may
system in arid regions has substantially decreased the contribute to streams or underground water reserves.
productivity of 400 million hectares of agricultural Revegetation of saline areas controls wind and water
ecosystems (Akinel & Simsek, 2004). erosion, assists in using excess groundwater, provides
Soil salinity adversely reduces the overall food and cover for domestic animals or wildlife and/or
productivity of ecosystem as plants face numerous provides fuel-wood and improves aesthetics (Naz et al.,
abnormal morphological, physiological and biochemical 2010 b).
changes that cause delayed germination, high seedling Salinity and water-logging problem is implicated in
mortality, poor crop stand, stunted growth and reduce decline of several ancient civilizations. At present, it is
yields (Ashraf et al., 2002; Ahmad et al., 2010 b). threatening the agricultural production system of
Increase in soil salinity decreases productivity to a level developing countries in arid and semi-arid areas; 25% of
where growth of non-halophytes becomes impossible. the Indus Basin, 40% of Nile Delta, almost 50% of the
Yokoi et al. (2002) estimated that 50% of agricultural irrigated areas of some countries in central Asia, most of
land is salt stressed in the arid and semi-arid regions the Mesopotamian plain and substantial areas in North
of the world which is a serious threat limiting crop Africa have been affected by moderate to severe salinity
production (Munns, 2002; Ahmad et al., 2009). problem. Many of the poor and undernourished people
Recent estimates (Meijerink & Roza, 2007) show that live in these areas. Population is growing so quickly that
44 countries in Asia and Africa are facing critical the land and water resources cannot sustain them;
shortage of agricultural land to support their populations. prime farmland and fresh water have been already fully
In addition, fuelwood and industrial raw material supplies utilized. There is a clear need to bring salt-affected land
are being rapidly and severely depleted by over-utilization and water resources into production.
70 M. YASIN ASHRAF ET AL.,

For rehabilitation of the saline ecosystem under study, Table 1. Characteristics of soil and water of BSRS Pakka
an integrated approach by using genetic resources (plants, Anna ecosystem, NIAB, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
animals, fish, insects and micro-organisms), saline Characteristics
Soil Water
groundwater, improved cultural practices to obtain adequate Range Rang
productivity from saline area on a sustainable basis without Soil texture Sandy loam -
employing costly reclamation measures was adopted. Clay (%) 14 ± 1.4 -
Silt (%) 18 ± 1.5 -
Materials and Methods Sand (%) 68 ± 3.1 -
EC (dS m-1) 5.2-49.24 4.97
Location and climate of selected saline ecosystem: The TDS (mg L-1) - 3878
selected saline ecosystem is located near Pakka Anna at a Saturation percentage 25.36-31.45 -
distance of 40 km in the South-West of Faisalabad, pH 7.82-8.92 8.2
Pakistan (longitude 73o.05’E and latitude 31o.24’N) with Bulk density (g cm-3) 1.38-1.58 -
an elevation of 190 m above sea level. It comprises of CO3 (me L-1) - 1.5
400 ha of salt-affected land. The land was not cultivated HCO3 (me L-1) - 21.75
earlier and lying barren since decades. The climate of this CaCO3 (%) 1.2-2.3 -
ecosystem is semi-arid with an annual average rainfall of CaSO4.2H2O (%) 2.56-4.15 -
325 mm and evaporation exceeds 1600 mm. The annual SAR - 40.5
average temperature in the area is 32oC. SAR adj - 101.25
RSC - 21.60
Soil and water: The soil and water samples from the Na+(me L-1) - 51.2
ecosystem were collected and analyzed according to the K+ (me L-1) - 0.4
methods described in US Staff handbook-60 (Anon., Ca2++Mg2+ (me L-1) - 3.21
1962) for their physico-chemical characteristics which are Cl- (me L-1) - 13.75
summarized in Table 1. SO4 (me L-1) - 17.35

The soil was saline-sodic to sodic with medium to light Brachiaria mutica (Para grass), Echinochloa sp. (Swank),
texture. Soil salinity is highly variable; electrical Sesbania spp. (Jantar), Acacia ampliceps and Atriplex
conductivity (ECe) ranges from <5 dS m-1 in the sandy spp. (Saltbush). Salt tolerant crop plants were grown in
patches to >50 dS m-1 but is mostly between 10 to 20 dS m- appropriate seasons.
1
. The CaCO3 content ranges from 1.2 to 2.3% in the 0-30
cm soil. The groundwater is shallow and brackish with EC Determination of nutritive values of forages: The
= 4.97 dS m-1, SAR = 40 and RSC = 21. Salt concentration halophyte species, viz. Leptochloa fusca (Kallar grass),
in the groundwater increases with depth; it ranges from Sporobolus arabicus, Brachiaria mutica (Para grass),
4000 to 6000 ppm in shallow to 100 m depth. This water is Echinochloa sp. (Swank), Sesbania spp. (Jantar) and
thus unfit for irrigation and of hazardous category. At Atriplex spp. (Saltbush), Suaeda fruticosa (Lana) and
present, water table in the area is 5-6 m deep which was 1-2 Kochia indica (Kochia) were introduced at BSRS Pakka
m initially when work started there in 1992. Anna. When the plants were at the feeding stage, samples
were collected and evaluated for their nutritive values.
Natural vegetation: The natural vegetation of ecosystem Aboveground portions of above-mentioned salt tolerant
was sparse represented by scrub type consisting of plants were analyzed for dry biomass, crude protein,
Prosopis juliflora, Suaeda fruticosa, Aeluropus crude fiber, ether extract (EE) and ash by standard
lagopoides and Eleusine flagellifera. Salinity levels in analytical methods after Anonymous (1990). Nitrogen
soils under these species differed greatly but the soil was free extract (NFE) was calculated by the following
invariably sodic. Aeluropus was dominant species on very formula:
highly saline (ECe = 40 dS m-1) and Eleusine on highly
saline (ECe = 23 dS m-1) soils. Suaeda had wide % NFE = 100-(%CP + %CF + %EE + %ash)
distribution and was an important species in these
communities. Total plant cover was higher in area of low
salinity. The aboveground plant material was digested
Findings of our different studies indicated that according to Wolf (1982) and cations like Na+, K+ and
introduction of salt tolerant grasses/plants on saline Ca2+ were estimated by flame photometer (FP7, Jenway,
ecosystem reduced the soil EC, SAR and pH and England). From the same aliquot Mg was determined
improved the fertility of soils (Ashraf et al., 2010) by titrimeterically as described in US Salinity Lab Hand
removing salts and increasing organic matter and essential Book-60 (Anonymous 1962) and P using Barton’s reagent
nutrients necessary for the cultivation of conventional (Jackson, 1962). The data were statistically analyzed
crops thus helped in rehabilitation of saline ecosystems. (Steel & Torrie, 1980).

Introduction of salt tolerant plants: About a dozen of Results and Discussion

the selected salt tolerant plants were introduced at the
study site. Among these, forage grade species included Selection of salt tolerant plants: To restore productivity
Leptochloa fusca (Kallar grass), Sporobolus arabicus, of saline ecosystem, selection and introduction of
ECOSYSTEMS THROUGH CULTIVATION OF SALT TOLERANT PLANTS 71

multipurpose salt tolerant plants with desirable sustainable ecosystems involving agro-forestry and
characteristics is necessary. So large number of plant animal husbandry on scientific lines. This technology
species have been screened for their salt tolerance using provides a cheap alternative on interim basis for utilizing
hydroponics technique (Anon., 1997 and Aslam et al., salt-affected and/or water-logged land and brackish
2009). The overall results of screening work on salt groundwater to irrigate conventional crops, without
tolerant germplasm showed that the maximum amount employing costly reclamation measurers.
and kind of salts that can be tolerated by salt tolerant
plants varies among species and even varieties of a Potential uses of salt tolerant plants: It is necessary to
species. Many salt tolerant plants have a special and exploit salt tolerant plants (Table 2) for food, feed, fodder
distinguishing feature; their growth was improved at low and industrial raw materials. These plants may contain
levels of salt. Dozen of the selected plants were some unusual compounds. Some salttolerant plants have
introduced at selected saline ecosystem at BSRS Pakka alkaloids, resins, essential oils, pharmaceutical feedstock
Anna. These plant species comprised of trees, shrubs and and other unusual compounds (Adam, 1984). Nutritional
grasses (Table 2). characteristics or even potential toxicities have not been
established for many edible salt tolerant plants (Naqvi et
Table 2. Salt tolerant plants introduced at BSRS Pakka Anna al., 2001). An understanding of the nature and
Root-zone salinity causing concentration of such compounds is essential for two
Species 50% yield reduction reasons. Firstly, such information would be useful in
EC (dS m-1) % Salt estimating the health hazards on the animals, if their feed
consists of a greater proportion of these plants. Secondly,
Grasses
these unusual compounds may be of some economic
Leptochloa fusca 22.0-14.6 1.41-0.93 value and may thus be useful to commercially extract
Sporobolus arabicus 21.7 1.39 them by developing suitable techniques. In essence,
Hordeum vulgare 19.5-10.0 1.25-0.64 exploration for new species for the selection of desired
Panicum antidotale 16.0 1.02 genotypes, from a wide range of natural variability in
Echinochloa colonum 11.2 0.72 individual salt tolerant plants should continue.
It was observed that farmers as well as livestock of
Shrubs
saline ecosystems face great scarcity of food, fodder and
Suaeda fruticosa 48.0 3.07 feed. The farmers of these areas often arrange fodders for
Kochia indica 38.0 2.43 their livestock from other areas at very high cost (Ashraf,
Atriplex amnicola 33.0 2.11 2007). Some of the grass and bush species can be utilized
Sesbania aculeata 13.0 0.83 as fodder but farmers are reluctant to use them because
Trees the high salt content may be toxic to livestock. Increased
knowledge of the nutritive value of a range of salt tolerant
Acacia ampliceps 35.7 2.26
plant species could result in their acceptance by farmers
Prosopis chilensis 29.4-29.3 1.88-1.87 as fodder sources for livestock. In this study forage value
Acacia nilotica 27.9 1.78 and chemical composition of some salt tolerant plants
Eucalyptus striaticalyx 26.2 1.68 were determined which showed that these plants have the
Prosopis cineraria 24.4 1.56 potential to be utilized as forage for livestock.
Casuarina glauca 24.4 1.56
Forage plants: The selected salt tolerant forage grade
Prosopis tamarogo 22.7 1.45 species included Leptochloa fusca (Kallar grass),
Leucaena leucocephala 17.2 1.10 Sporobolus arabicus, Brachiaria mutica (Para grass),
Vegetables Echinochloa sp. (Swank), Sesbania spp. (Jantar), Acacia
Brasssica napus 19.5 1.25 ampliceps and Atriplex spp. (Saltbush). Kallar grass has
Spinacea oleracea 14.8 0.94 high water requirements, needs excessive irrigations and
tolerates very high soil and water salinity. Kallar grass is
Brassica carinata 14.0-12.5 0.90-0.80
palatable with little salts in its leaves. It increases the
Brassica juncea 12.4-8.44 0.79-0.54 hydraulic conductivity of soil and helps leach down salts
Brassica compestris 09.9 0.63 from the root zone (Ashraf et al., 2010).
Eruca sativa 09.6 0.61 Sporobolus arabicus, a relatively low water
requirement grass, provides soft fodder when harvested
Utilization of salt tolerant plants for the rehabilitation on 2-3 months interval and tolerates moderate salinity.
of saline ecosystem, also called Biosaline Agriculture, is Para grass, a perennial grass growing on saline soil, is
an untraditional approach and is an alternative to the very much liked by ruminants. It needs medium irrigation
traditional leaching and drainage solution (Dagar, 2009). and tolerates salinity under irrigated conditions. It
It is rather developing and adopting methods to live with produces large quantity of palatable high quality biomass
salinity (Khan, 2007). Since, it is a low input approach; it retaining little salts in fresh biomass.
is beneficial and more appropriate for countries having Echinochloa and Sesbania are salinity tolerant
adverse socio-economic conditions (Aslam et al., 2009). summer fodders and produce soft palatable fodder
Through this approach underground brackish water and biomass under well-irrigated conditions. Saltbushes
salt-affected soils can be utilized for developing (Atriplex) and Suaeda fruticosa are perennial species well
72 M. YASIN ASHRAF ET AL.,

adapted under arid environments that need very little more water than other salt tolerant bushes (Aganga et al.,
irrigation and tolerate very high salinity. However, high 2003; Venuto et al., 2003; Al-Khateeb, 2006). The
salt contents in Atriplex and Suaeda fruticosa leaves palatability reports indicated that Sporobolus, Kallar and
reduce their value as forage. Kochia indica, a naturally Para grasses are more palatable than salt bushes like
occurring species, is successful under drought, high soil Atriplex and Kochia (Squires & Ayoub, 1992; El Shaer et
salinity and moderately elevated pH. Under irrigated al. 2000; Aganga et al., 2003). Similarly, Casson et al.
conditions, it provides large quantity of good quality (1996) and Ashraf (2007) reported that higher dry matter
fodder biomass in summer. in salt tolerant plants is due to high accumulation of salts,
Kallar, Sporobolus and Para grasses excrete the which is very clear from the present study, because the
absorbed salts through the salt glands present in their total mineral contents were very high in the salt tolerant
leaves (Wieneke et al., 1987) so these species contained bushes (Table 3).

Table 3. Chemical composition of some salt tolerant plants used as fodder on dry matter basis
Dry biomass Crude protein Crude fiber Ash EE NFE
Name of fodder
(%)
Kallar grass 33.45 9.78 24.56 11.23 2.15 52.28
Sporobolus 42.43 10.75 27.67 8.86 1.52 51.2
Para grass 36.45 7.54 28.45 9.76 1.78 52.47
Swank 31.24 14.78 26.34 14.56 3.21 41.11
Jantar 21.76 19.43 18.43 11.23 5.25 45.66
Atriplex 48.98 15.78 20.34 24.76 1.12 38
Kochia 21.23 12.14 20.67 21.86 1.74 43.59
Suaeda fruticosa 48.34 8.21 15.32 37.89 1.21 37.37
Acacia ampliceps 23.34 11.23 20.76 21.26 3.52 43.23
LSD (p≤0.05) 1.578 1.955 2.035 3.178 0.574 2.124

The ash content (minerals) were the maximum in diseases and physiological disorders (Ashraf, 2007). The
Atriplex lentiformis, followed by Suaeda fruticosa, literature indicates that the animals fed on plants having
Kochia indica, Leptochloa fusca, Sporobolus arabicus higher concentrations of salts cause lesion and rashes in
and Para grass (Table 3), which confirmed that the stomach of the animals (Atiq-Ur-Rehman et al.,
maximum salts were accumulated in salt bushes and 1994). Many reports (Salem et al., 2004; Aganga et al.,
minimum in grasses (Table 3; 4). On the basis of lower 2003) have suggested mixing of Atriplex, Suaeda
salt concentration, grasses are more palatable for fruticosa and Kochia in animal ration as a result of
livestock. Many reports indicated that the plants which Na+ as well as other salt concentrations can be
containing higher salts concentrations are toxic for reduced in animal ration and can be made more
livestock and are responsible for different types of palatable and digestible.

Table 4. Nitrogen, phosphorus and mineral contents in some salt tolerant plants used as fodder.
N P K Ca Mg Na
Name of fodder
mg g-1 DW
Kallar grass 5.35 2.38 15.27 2.91 1.67 1.90
Sporobolus 6.79 2.27 16.34 2.64 1.54 1.82
Para grass 5.83 2.18 17.56 2.45 1.35 1.79
Swank 7.34 2.45 15.45 1.87 1.75 2.76
Jantar 3.48 2.13 18.34 2.25 2.25 2.98
Atriplex 7.84 2.67 19.89 6.67 2.19 5.84
Kochia 3.40 3.04 20.35 5.34 2.41 4.27
Suaeda fruticosa 7.73 3.35 18.78 4.59 2.48 6.81
Acacia ampliceps 3.73 2.25 16.85 3.12 1.25 2.99
LSD (p≤0.05) 1.218 0.547 1.579 0.758 0.458 0.345

Salt bushes had more protein than salt tolerant The palatability checked at NIAB (Anonymous,
grasses while reverse was the case for crude fibers. 1997) and at other places of the world also indicated that
Carbohydrates were the highest in Sporobolus arabicus, the grasses are more palatable and digestible than salt
followed by Para grass, Leptochloa fusca, Swank, Acacia bushes like Atriplex, Suaeda fruticosa and Kochia indica.
amplicepes, Kochia and Atriplex. So, grasses are more On the basis of above results grasses and Acacia
useful for animal health. However, saltbushes can be used ampliceps seemed more useful and close to the normal
as mixed ration.
ECOSYSTEMS THROUGH CULTIVATION OF SALT TOLERANT PLANTS 73

fodder for livestock. So, grasses were introduced in the reducing the digging cost. Fish can be fed on biomass
ecosystem at BSRS Pakka Anna to produce fodder for from salt tolerant plants along with supplements thus
livestock. The salt tolerant bushes are also grown to feed saving up to 50% in feed costs (Mahmood et al., 2011).
by mixing with other fodders containing lesser amount of However, if these areas are utilized for developing
salts. The findings of Animal Sciences Division, NIAB pastures or rangelands with salt tolerant forage plants,
also proved that feeding of salt tolerant grasses and good economic returns can be achieved (Ashraf, 2007).
Acacia amplicepes had no adverse effects on health and The present studies have been conducted with the aim to
reproduction of dwarf goats (Naqvi et al., 2001). work out the forage values and their chemical
composition. On the basis of their utilization as forage,
Livestock rearing: All non-conventional forages (shrubs, these salt tolerant plants can be recommended for the
trees and grasses) having nutritive value were cultivated livestock of saline areas and salt-affected wastelands can
on large area of the BSRS Pakka Anna ecosystem. The be utilized for better economic returns.
biomass is being used successfully as forage for goat
rearing. Initially dwarf (Teddy) goats were reared but now Salt tolerant crops: In crop plants, barley line PK-30118
hybrid of local breed Beetal and dwarf goat that have showed most adaptability to saline environment,
good traits of both breeds (high weight, milk yield and therefore, this along with other lines is being grown at this
prolificacy) are being reared at this selected ecosystem. ecosystem under salinity (Mahmood, 2011). Similarly,
The benefit-cost ratio of goat rearing was found to be 1.3 among wheat cultivars, S-24, Bhakkar, Sarsabz, and a
(Mahmood et al., 2011). selected line AR-4 showed better adaptability to saline-
sodic soil (Table 5). Among Brassica species (an
Saline aquaculture: Saline aquaculture is an important important oilseed crop), Brassica juncea line SMP-13-78
option for profitable use of saline water. Therefore, and B. napus var. DGL were successful in producing
research efforts have been made to select suitable fish higher seed at low soil salinity (EC = 10 dS m-1). For high
breeds for saline ecosystem and fish breeds like Thaila, soil salinity (EC=20 dS m-1), varieties RL-18 (B. juncea)
Grass Carp, Silver Carp and Golden Gulfam proved their and Shieralle (B. napus) proved better yielding. Another
adaptation to saline environments by producing higher oilseed crop locally called Taramera (Raphanus
biomass than others. So, these were cultured and benefit: raphinastrum) was also successful under low soil salinity
cost ratio was 1.37. The economics could be further (Table 6).
improved by adopting certain measures; the ponds with
raised embarkations are cheaper to develop thereby

Table 5. Yield performance of different wheat cultivars grown at BSRS Pakka Anna saline ecosystem.
Salinity levels (dS m-1)
Wheat cultivars 11.57 8.57 7.68 6.78 Mean
-2
Grain yield (g m )
S-24 368 454 453 457 433.00
AR-4 294 305 369.7 394 340.67
Sarsabz 318 371 392 403 371.00
Bhakkar 433 425 431 418 426.75
Sehar 383 437 448 449 429.25
Seta 347 386 423 413 392.25
Mean 357.17 396.33 419.45 422.33
LSD (p≤0.05) 9.87 (salinity level) 14.75 (cultivar)

Salt tolerant shrubs and trees: Salt tolerant tree plants Rs.1000 per tree with an estimated annual income up to Rs.
which are introduced in this saline ecosystem included four 180,000 and Rs. 100,000 per hectare, respectively.
provenances each of Eucalyptus camaldulensis, E. Acacia nilotica, a native species locally known as
microtheca, Casuarina equisetifolia, five of C. glauca and Kikar, produces good quality wood suitable for
two each of Acacia stenophylla and A. ampliceps. In furniture. Application of ½ kg gypsum powder per tree
addition, 120 seedlots of Eucalyptus camaldulensis and 75 at the time of planting proved highly effective for tree
seedlots of Acacia ampliceps, mainly from CSIRO, establishment. A. nilotica wood has good commercial
Canberra, Australia were also tested for their field value and may sell on the average price of Rs. 3000 per
performance under environmental conditions of this saline tree after 20 years growth.
ecosystem. Both species had impressive growth; however, Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora) is a naturally occurring
wide variations were observed between the seedlots as well species with low water requirement. If dressed to improve
as provenances that have great potential for improvement stem girth, it can be sold as good fire wood after 4-5
by selection (Marcar et al., 1997; Mahmood et al., 2003). years. Other trees adapted to saline lands include
The Eucalyptus and Acacia ampliceps trees become ready Parkinsonia, Frash (Tamarix), Neem (Azadirachta indica)
for sale after 10-12 years, fetching average price of and Iple Iple (Leucaena leucocephala).
74 M. YASIN ASHRAF ET AL.,

Table 6. Yield performance of different varieties of Brassica species under different salinity
levels at BSRS Pakka Anna saline ecosystem.
Salinity levels (dS m-1)
Brassica spp./Variety 5.30 10.35 20.76 27.89
Seed yield per plot (kg) Mean
Brassica carinata/Brown Raya 7.40 4.14 0.38 0.20 3.03
Brassica carinata/Peela Raya 14.90 9.60 6.68 6.05 9.31
Brassica juncea/SMP-13-78 14.61 8.30 3.50 2.10 7.13
Brassica juncea/Raya Anmol 6.60 5.00 1.40 0.01 3.25
Brassica juncea/ORI-50-60 9.10 7.36 7.42 0.88 6.19
Brassica juncea/RL-18 15.8 9.08 7.10 4.60 9.15
Brassica juncea/Toria 7.60 4.50 3.50 1.45 4.26
Brassica napus/Sheiaralle 20.85 8.80 8.20 4.60 10.61
Brassica napus/DGL 18.85 6.82 1.50 1.50 7.17
Brassica campestris/Saqsarson 5.98 2.04 1.55 1.33 2.72
Brassica campestris/BSA 7.68 2.00 0.40 0.01 2.52
Raphanus raphinastrum/ Taramira 13.91 6.30 1.50 0.15 5.46
Mean 11.94 6.16 3.59 1.91
LSD (p≤0.05) salinity level = 2.237 LSD (p<0.05) variety = 3.785

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(Received for publication 16 April 2012)