LOWLAND RICE IN COASTAL SALINE SOILS - A REVIEW

In India, the coastal areas have lagged behind in production owing to the fragility of the ecosystem and presence of various constraints thereby suffering from lower productivity with slow positive trend in the growth rate in comparison to several inland areas. Salinity coupled with flooding promotes the cultivation of traditional rice varieties that are tolerant to both submergence and salinity The use of amendments viz., organic and inorganics enhances the yield as the amendments in addition to the supply of nutrients, improves the soil physical conditions and provides a buffering action against adverse soil conditions. The type of amendment may depend on the cost, availability and quantity. The materials available locally and crop wastes can be used effectively for reclamation. The present review was aimed to examine the impact of amendments and management practices on rice growth and grain yield to enhance rice yield under lowland ecosystems in the coastal saline environment by adoption of better management strategies.