Growth and yield components of wheat genotypes as influenced by potassium and farm yard manure on a saline sodic soil

The adequate supply of mineral nutrients through chemical fertilizers and manure may help to sustain the crop productivity and ensure plant survival under salinity stress. A field study was conducted on saline sodic soil (ECe = 13 dS m^-1, SAR 23.3 (mmol L^-1)^1/2, pH = 8.6 of surface 15 cm layer) to quantify the effects of potassium (K) and farm yard manure (FYM) on two wheat genotypes differing in salinity tolerance. Three K levels (0, 80, 120 kg ha^-1) and two FYM levels (0, 10 t ha^-1) were tested using randomized compete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The application of K along with FYM reduced Na^+ uptake and accumulation in plant tissue. The K concentration and K^+/ Na^+ ratio were significantly improved in both wheat genotypes with the supplementation of K and FYM. The grain yield was improved by 40-156% in salt tolerant genotype and 46-206% in salt sensitive genotype with added K and FYM. Similar trend was observed in yield components. Ameliorative effects of added K and FYM were more marked in salt sensitive genotype (Auqab-2000) than in salt tolerant (Inqlab-91). Grain yield of salt sensitive and salt tolerant wheat genotypes was positively correlated with leaf K^+ concentration determined at various treatments. Addition of K along with FYM decreased sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and electrical conductivity (EC) of soil particularly in upper layers. Therefore, it is concluded that K along with FYM could help to alleviate deleterious effects of salts and thus improve the productivity of salt affected soils.