Response of sodicity and salinity levels on vegetative growth and nutrient uptake of aonla genotypes

Pot culture experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of sodicity (0, 15, 30, 45, 60 ESP) and salinity (0, 5, 10, 15 dSm⁻¹) on establishment, survival, growth and nutrient status of six aonla cultivars. Establishment and survival of plants decreased significantly with the increase in exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) and ECe levels. The plant growth decreased with increasing levels of sodicity and salinity. The increasing levels of sodicity and salinity caused significant decreases in total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium contents in all cultivars. Sodium increases to toxic levels under both soil situations. Chloride decreased in response to sodicity and increased in saline soils. Sodium content increased to toxic level in the leaves being highest with NA18 followed by Anand-1 and NA-10, whereas chloride content decreased in sodic soil conditions. Invariably, cvs. Chakaiya, NA-7 and NA-6 contained relatively higher status of N, P, K, Ca and Mg proving to be tolerant cultivars. NA-18 and Anand-1 had higher status of Na⁺ and Cl⁻ and proved to be susceptible cultivars in later stages of growth.