Evaluation of salinity tolerance in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) and millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) for sustainable fodder production

Soil salinization is a major emerging issue of the present day agriculture. Area under salt stress is increasing day by day, increasing the demand of managing the soil salinity through proper management practices. One of the approaches of combating the salt stress is breeding for high salt stress genotypes. Sorghum and pearl millet are important fodder crops which are used to fulfill the fodder requirements of the animals. Present study was carried out to assess the effect of different levels of salt stress on growth and fodder yield of sorghum and pearl millet. Four varieties of sorghum (Higari, S-2002, F04-20 14 and F02-2013) and four varieties of pearl millet (MB-87, FB-786, FB-822, and FB-801) were used to conduct the experiment. Three salinity levels (0, 6.5 and 13dS m-1) were used to conduct the experiment. The soil was analyzed and pots were sown. Salt solution was applied in the pots at the time of sowing and five seeds per pot were used. Experiment was conducted in split plot design with salt (main plot factor) and variety (sub plot factor). Another lab experiment was conducted with same genotypes and same salt level to check the effect of salt stress on germination stage as well. Data was recorded for shoot and root length, shoot and root fresh and dry weight, number of leaves, leaf area index for pot experiment and germination %, coefficient of velocity of germination, mean daily germination and mean germination time for petri plates experiment. Analysis of variance results showed significant variation for all plant traits. It was observed from the results that pearl millet is more tolerant to salt stress as compared to sorghum. It was also observed salt stress markedly reduced the plant growth and also reduced the germination % and germination related parameters. In sorghum Higari showed better growth whereas in pearl millet MB-87. The results of the experiment showed that variation existed in the both sorghum and pearl millet.