Effect of water salinity on yield and yield-attributing characters of blond psyllium (Plantago ovata)

Abstract

A field study was carried out during winter season (rabi) of 1988-89 and 1989-90 at Bichpuri, to evaluate the performance of blond psyllium (Plantago ovata Forsskal) in salt-stressed condition. Six types of saline water were used, having electrical conductivity 2.4 (control), 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 dS/m corresponding to actual electrical conductivity of irrigation water (EC_iw) 2.4 (control), 3.96, 7.82, 11.85, 15.62 and 18.95 dS/m respectively. The salinity levels of 8, 12, 16 and 20 dS/m significantly decreased the grain yield by 23.15, 33.99, 42.84 and 53.02%; husk yield by 22.20, 32.37. 41.48 and 51.55%; and straw yield by 5.56, 13.99, 22.91 and 32.34% respectively compared with salinity level of 2.4 dS/m. The grain: husk ratios under salinity treatments of 2.4, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 dS/m were 3 : 1, 3.01 : 1, 2.96 : 1, 2.91 : 1, 2.91 : 1 and 2.88: 1 respectively. The salinity levels of 12, 16 and 20 dS/m decreased the ear length, grains/car and 1 000-grain weight significantly compared with those of 2.4 and 4.0 dS/m.