Growth of and nutrient accumulation in Isabgol (Plantago ovata) under sodic soils

A field experiment was conducted at Banthra Research Station, National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Banthra, Lucknow, to evaluate the performance of three cultivars of Isabgol (Plantago ovata) under sodic soil with different levels of gypsum. The results indicate that application of gypsum at 25% of its requirement was sufficient to enhance the productivity of Isabgol under sodic soil. Seed yield averaged across three levels of gypsum was recorded to be highest for cv. Commercial which was about 20 and 29% higher than that of cv. Niharika and cv. 30–30 D, respectively. Average straw yield increased by about 12% over no gypsum and enhancing the gypsum level beyond GR₂₅ did not significantly increase straw yield. Total dry matter yield (straw+seed) also followed the same trend as of straw and seed. Nitrogen uptake linearly increased over control, and was about 33 and 60% higher over control with GR₂₅ and GR₅₀, respectively. Averaged across the doses of gypsum the nitrogen uptake by cv. Niharika was about 28 and 19% higher over cv. 30–30 D and Commercial, respectively. The mean (three varieties) uptake of P increased by 21 and 30% over control (no gypsum) with application of gypsum at GR₂₅ and GR₅₀, respectively. The highest uptake of phosphorus was by cv. 30–30 D receiving no gypsum. The average potassium uptake was about 31 and 41% higher over control (no gypsum) with GR₂₅ and GR₅₀, respectively. Likewise, cv. Niharika and cv. Commercial had about 17 and 33% higher K uptake as compared to cv. 30–30 D. Sodium uptake by Isabgol with GR₂₅ was not significantly different from that without gypsum. Application of gypsum at GR₅₀ resulted in a significantly lower sodium uptake than that with GR₀ (control) and GR₂₅. Isabgol avoided Na⁺ interference to a greater extent resulting in economic growth performance in sodic environment.