Effect of Zinc Sulphate and Farmyard Manure on Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuous) under Sodic Water Irrigation

摘要

Effects of zinc sulphate, farmyard manure (FYM) and zinc-enriched farmyard manure on the soil chemical properties and yield of two varieties (viz. Pragati and Praman) of lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus steud wats ) under sodic water (EC 3.5 dS m~(-1), RSC 10.0 me L~(-1) and SAR 21.0) irrigation was studied in the open bottom reinforced concrete cemented cylindrical (RCC) barrels embedded in the field. Sodic water significantly increased the pH, electrolyte conductivity (EC) and sodium adsorption ratio of saturation extract (SARe) and decreased the available zinc in root zone as compared to tube well water ( EC 0.7 dS m~(-1); RSC 2.0 me L~(-1) and SAR 1.3) irrigated soils. The application of zinc sulphate, FYM and Zn-enriched FYM to soils decreasedthe pH and increased the available Zn content of sodic-water-irrigated soils, whereas the application of FYM increased the EC and SARe of irrigated soils. The total herb and oil yield of lemongrass was significantly reduced by the application of sodic water as compared to tube well water. Application of zinc sulphate increased the yield of Praman when irrigated with sodic water, but the application of FYM to soil increased the negative effects of irrigation of sodic water on both the varieties of lemongrass. The concentration of Na was significantly higher and that of K, Ca, Mg and Zn lower in the shoot tissues of lemongrass irrigated with the sodic water than with the tube well water. The application of zinc sulphate with sodic water decreased the concentration of Na and enhanced the concentration of K, Ca and Zn in the shoot tissues of lemongrass as compared to sodic water alone.