Growth of Guava Plants (Psidium Guajava L.) As Affected By Salinity

The investigations were carried out at the Experimental Orchard of the Division of Horticulture and Fruit Technology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, during the year 1974–75, with a view to testing salt tolerance capacity of guava (Psidium guajava L.). The results indicated that the toxicity symptoms were more pronounced in chloride and carbonate salinization. Inward curling was observed in chloride salinization as against outward cupping in the carbonate. In the initial stage, mottling was clearcut in carbonate salinization whereas in sulphate salinization fading af leaves was uniform. Marginal scorching was a common symptom in all the salts. The tolerance limit of guava to soil salinity was observed to be 0.350 per cent. However, it could tolerate sodium sulphate upto 0.525 per cent. Sodium chloride and carbonate were more toxic than sodium sulphate. The growth of the plant as measured by height, leaf number, leaf area, fresh weight and dry weight was suppressed by all salinity treatments. Sodium chloride, sodium carbonate and their combination caused salt concentration in the soil correspondingly decreased the plant growth and increased the mortality.