GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF GUAVA (PSIDIUM GUAJAVA L.) SEEDLINGS AGAINST SODIUM CHLORIDE SALINIZED WATER

The categorization of genotypes having varying potential to salt-tolerance is an efficient   approach to cope with the problems of saline soils and saline irrigation. A glasshouse experiment was carried out to evaluate the growth, development, and ions content in guava seedlings against sodium chloride salinized water. Sixty-day-old two commercial guava genotypes (Ramzani and Thadharamy) were irrigated with water of four salinity levels (control (distilled water), 1.5, 3.0 and 5.0 dS m-1). The results indicate that increasing salinity levels negatively affected agronomic traits of both guava genotypes. A significant decline in height, stem girth, number of leaves plant-1, dry weight of shoot and roots was noted at salinity level of 3.0 and 5.0 dS m-1. Similarly, the seedlings grown under treatments of EC 1.5, 3.0 and 5.0 dS m-1 had higher Na+ and Cl- contents and less K+ and Ca2+ content in comparison to control treatment. The significant variation was recorded among the guava genotypes. Ramzani produced taller plants, thicker stem, more leaves plant-1, greater shoot and root dry weights, and less Na+ and Cl- contents in comparison to Thadharamy. We conclude that guava seedlings should not be irrigated with saline water having EC greater than 1.5 dS m-1. Cultivation of Ramzani is a better choice in saline environment than Thadharamy.