Growth performance and nutrient contents of some salt tolerant multipurpose tree species growing under saline environment

A field study was conducted at NIA experimental farm, Tandojam to observe the growth and nutrients (macro and micro) content of some salt tolerant multipurpose tree species (Acacia ampliceps, Acacia stenophylla, Acacia nilotica, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, and Conocarpus lancifolius) under saline environment. The salinity of the soil was varying from medium saline to very highly saline. The growth performances recorded at 3, 6 and 9 months after transplantation showed that overall survival of all the species tested, was good (70 %). The species Acacia ampliceps had maximum survival percentage (98.09%) followed by Conocarpus lancifolius (96.82%), Acacia nilotica (96.19 %), Acacia stenophylla (89.52 %), and Eucalyptus camaldulensis (70.47 %). The plant height at 9 months after transplantation was maximum in Acacia nilotica (200cm), followed by Eucalyptus camaldulensis (190 cm), Acacia ampliceps (127.2 cm), Acacia stenophylla (125.4 cm), and Conoca rpus lancifolius (125.1 cm). The leaves samples analyzed for macro & micro-nutrients showed that Acacia nilotica had maximum nitrogen content in leaves, whereas maximum values for Potassium were recorded in Acacia stenophylla. While, phosphorus content was more or less similar in all species tested. The data for micronutrient contents in leaves also showed that native acacia have the maximum zinc, copper and iron contents. It was also observed that sodium accumulation in plant was negatively related with nitrogen, phosphorus, copper, zinc manganese and iron. The high nutritive values in foliage of native acacia indicate that Acacia nilotica can play an important role in improving the fertility of the soil and can also give good economic returns from the marginal lands.