EFFECT OF COMPACT SALT AFFECTED SOIL ON THE GROWTH OF EUCALYPTUS CAMALDULENSIS (LOCAL)

Abstract

Deterioration of soil structure because of dispersion of soil particles in saline sodic/sodic soils is a common phenomenon, whereas, occurrence of compact layers at lower horizon in these soils because of downward clay movement is not conducive for root development. A pot culture study was conducted with a naturally salt affected soil (clay loam, EC, 19.6 dS m>, pHs 8.4, SAR 22.7 [mmol Lr'j"1 ) at two bulk densities ( 0.9I±0.02 and 1.36±0.02 Mg nt3 ) to study the effect of soil compactness on the growth of Eucalyptus camaldulensis (Local). The bulk density of 1.36 Mg m3 was developed in pots artificially. Plants showed significant differences in growth after 22 weeks of planting: growth (plant height, root length, shoot and root fresh and dry weights) depressed significantly in compact salt affected soil compared to non-compacted soil. Root growth was less affected as compared to shoot growth.