Effect of Excess Soil Water Conditions for a Short Period on Growth and Nutrition of Crops on Coastal Saline Soil

In a field experiment on coastal saline soil (Typic Haplaquept) (ECe 6.5–10.6 dS m⁻¹), the effect of excess soil water for short period was studied on growth and nutrition of some commonly recommended rabil summer field crops, viz. barley, linseed, chilli and cotton. Among the crops, barley and linseed were most sensitive to excess soil water causing a loss in yield to the extent of 71 and 60 per cent, respectively when excess soil water (slightly excess of soil saturation capacity) persisted for two days. Chilli (Capsicum annum) showed less than 50 per cent loss in yield with excess soil waterfor 2 days. Cotton was most tolerant under the situation and sufferedless than 50 per cent loss in yield with excess soil moisture even/or 14 days. Excess moisture resulted in low redox potential and low oxygen diffusion rate in soil. It increased exchangeable Fe and Mn in soil considerably causing several fold increase in concentration of these nutrients in plant. Relative mobility (mobility from root to shoot) ratio (RMR) of P decreased and those of Fe and Mn in plant increased due to prolongation of duration of excess soil water condition in soil. RMR of P showed significant positive correlation (except for Cotton) and RMR of Feand Mn Showed significant negative correlation with yield of crops.