Effect of Saline water irrigation on growth, ion content and forage yield of Halophytic grasses grown on saline black soil

In a pot study, two halophytic grasses, Eragrostis species and Aeluropus lagopoides were grown using saline water of EC 10, 20, 30 and 40 dS m⁻¹. There was good establishment, growth and forage production up to EC 40 dS m⁻¹. Ion partitioning in shoots and roots of both the grasses indicated that the roots act as potential sinks for toxic ions like Na ⁺ and Cl⁻. Total Na⁺ content was found less in the shoot than in the root, in both the grasses irrespective of salinity and age of the plant. Cl⁻ was found much higher in the root than in the shoot. The rate of flux of Na⁺ and Cl⁻ to the whole plant was found to increase with salinity. Aeluropus lagopoides was found to possess high tissue tolerance and better forage quality traits i.e., protein, proline, fibre, ash and sugar contents, compared to Eragrostis species. Aeluropus lagopoides, because of its ability to withstand high salinity, better forage quality, ion partitioning and fast growing nature, forms an ideal forage grass for saline agriculture on saline black soil of Gujarat region.