1School of Life Sciences, North Maharashtra University, Post Box-80, Jalgaon-425001, Maharashtra, India.
2National Center for Cell Science, Molecular Biology Unit, Lab # 3, Ganeshkhind, Pune-411 007, (MS), India.
3State Agriculture Department, Jalgaon-425002, (MS), India.
The effect of Psyllium husk on the maximum water holding capacity, permanent wilting point and growth of Gossyplum herbaceum L after amendment in soli was studied. The amendment of Psyllium husk was found to enhance water holding capacity of the soli as a function of concentration compared with the untreated soli. Amendment of Psyllium husk at a concentration of 0.6% was sufficient to Improve maximum water holding capacity of the soli. The Psyllium husk did not affect germination but significantly Improved seedling growth, fresh and dry biomass of Gossyplum herbaceum. Amendment of Psyllium husk was found to delay wilting point of by 168 hrs and also increased moisture availability of soli. The amendment of Psyllium husk in soli can be an effective strategy to Improve soli texture and fertility and thereby plant growth.
Psyllium husk, MWHC, Permanent wilting point, Gossypium herbaceum
