Abstract
Higher sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) of irrigation water severely hampers the growth of crop plants, mainly due to ionic imbalances. In present investigation, growth and phosphorus (P) nutrition of rice (Oryza sativa L., cv. IR-9) was studied in hydroponics at different sodicity levels [SAR = 5, 10, 25 and 50 (mmolc L–1) 1/2]. Each sodicity level was imposed at constant electrolyte concentration of 100 cmolc L–1, with three calcium to magnesium (Ca:Mg) ratios (1:3, 1:1 and 3:1). Sodicity treatments and recommended P (2 mM) were applied to P starved seedlings. Increasing sodicity significantly (P < 0.05) retarded plant growth, while, increasing relative proportion of Ca over Mg in sodicity formulation restored root growth. Unlike root P concentration, shoot P concentration increased significantly (P < 0.05) by increasing sodicity or decreasing Ca:Mg ratio of nutrient solution. Sodium (Na) concentration positively correlated (r > 0.90, n = 12) with root-to-shoot P translocation and retarded plant growth. Conversely, Ca in plants improved growth by favoring P nutrition. Conclusively, the effect of sodicity on rice growth and P nutrition also depends upon relative proportions of Ca and Mg in sodicity formulation.
S. Hussain*, M.A. Maqsood, , M. Farhan-ul-Haque , S. Yousaf. (2010) Growth and phosphorus nutrition of rice exposed to sodic solutions at different calcium to magnesium ratios, The Journal Soil & Environment , Volume 29, Issue 2.
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