Growth and Yield of<i>Salvadora persica</i>, A Facultative Halophyte Grown on Saline Black Soil (Vertic Haplustept)

Abstract

Salt-affected black soils (Vertic Haplustepts), due to high salinity and nutrient deficiency associated with erratic rainfall pattern pose management problems for sustainable agriculture. Cultivation of economic halophytes is considered as an alternative management strategy for bringing such problematic soils under production. Salvadora persica, a facultative halophyte and a good source of seed oil has been found to be highly salt tolerant. Attempts have been made to develop the agromanagement strategies for its domestication. The growth, biomass and seed and oil yield of S. persica grown on highly saline black soil with salinity ranging from 25 to 65 dS m−1 and cost/benefit ratio are reported in this article along with its cultivation and other uses. The seed yield declined by 40–47% at high salinity of 55–65 dS m−1 when compared to that of 25–35 dS m−1. The seed oil content, however, did not vary much under these salinity classes. The study indicated Salvadora persica, a medium-sized tree can be cultivated for restoration of highly saline black soils which are not suitable for conventional arable farming.