Impact of Saline Water Treatments on Vegetative Propagation of Bambusa Vulgaris Var. Vulgaris

Abstract

A nursery experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of saline water irrigation on the cuttings of Bambusa vulgaris var. vulgaris Schrad. and the changes in soil properties and soil microbial population was studied during the year 2009-10. The experiment was laid out in CRD. Ten treatments of saline water were prepared with EC of 0.20 dSm-1 to 4.0 dSm-1 by adding salts viz. CaCl2, MgSO4, NaHCO3 and NaCl in the ratio of 4:2:1:1 respectively. The highest sprouting percentage was found in irrigation water with the least EC (0.20 dSm-1) which was on par with treatments up to EC of 1.0 dSm-1. A decrease in sprouting percentage was found with the increase in EC. No sprouting under 3.0 dSm-1 and 4.0 dSm-1 was observed. In soil properties, an increase in soil EC and a non significant change in soil pH were found. The soil organic carbon and available nitrogen content decreased in treatments with the lower EC up to 1.0 dSm-1 while it increased in treatments with EC above 1.25 dSm-1. Available phosphorus recorded a non significant difference. Available potassium was found to increase with increasing saline treatments. A general decline in the population of fungi, actinomycetes and bacteria with the increase in EC levels was observed. Thus, for the successful vegetative propagation of Bambusa vulgaris the irrigation water should have an EC level up to 1.0 dSm-1.