Genotypic Variation for Salinity Tolerance in Cenchrus ciliaris L.

Abstract

Scarcity of irrigation water and increasing soil salinization has threatened the sustainability of forage production in arid and semi-arid region around the globe. Introduction of salt-tolerant perennial species is a promising alternative to overcome forage deficit to meet future livestock needs in salt-affected areas. This study presents the results of a salinity tolerance screening trial which was carried out in plastic pots buried in the open field for 160 buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) accessions for three consecutive years (2003–2005). The plastic pots were filled with sand, organic, and peat moss mix and were irrigated with four different quality water (EC 0, 10, 15, and 20 dS m−1). The results indicate that the average annual dry weights (DW) were in the range from 122.5 to 148.9 g/pot in control; 96.4–133.8 g/pot at 10 dS m−1; 65.6–80.4 g/pot at 15 dS m−1, and 55.4–65.6 g/pot at 20 dS m−1. The highest DW (148.9 g/pot) was found with accession 49 and the lowest with accession 23. Principle component analysis shows that PC-1 contributed 81.8% of the total variability, while PC-2 depicted 11.7% of the total variation among C. ciliaris accessions for DW. Hierarchical cluster analysis revealed that a number of accessions collected from diverse regions could be grouped into a single cluster. Accessions 3, 133, 159, 30, 23, 142, 141, 95, 49, 129, 124, and 127 were stable, salt tolerant, and produced good dry biomass yield. These accessions demonstrate sufficient salinity tolerance potential for promotion in marginal lands to enhance farm productivity and reduce rural poverty.

Evaluation of Some Rhodes Grass (Chloris gayana) Genotypes for Their Salt Tolerance, Biomass Yield and Nutrient Composition

“…The plant growth is affected by salinity because of a number of factors, including osmotic stress, ionic toxicity, lack of minerals, and physiological and biochemical responses [30]. This study reveals that at the seedling stage, there was a significant reduction in plant height, number of tillers per plant, and plant fresh and dry matter weight of three Chloris gayana genotypes with the increasing salinity levels.…”

“…However, CV-massaba genotype produced a higher CP content at salinity levels of 10-15 dS m −1 . Generally, low dry matter-producing genotypes are known to have higher CP content whereas high dry matter producing accessions are low in nutrition at low salinity levels [30,39]. All three genotypes produced high CP and ash content at low to medium salinity (0-10 dS m −1 ) levels while a falling trend was observed at higher salinity levels (15-20 dS m −1 ).…”

Threshold Tolerance of New Genotypes of Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. to Salinity and Drought

“…Pearl millet grows well under drought conditions and in the saline environment, although it is less salt tolerant than Cynodon spp. and Panicum [32]. The increase in soil salinity negatively affects grain yield.…”

Agro-Morphological, Yield and Quality Traits and Interrelationship with Yield Stability in Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) Genotypes under Saline Marginal Environment

“…Soil degradation due to salinity is a big issue in agriculture and forestry, especially in marginal environments. Several factors, such as scarce water resources, loss of topsoil due to wind erosion, sandy soils and high temperature in desert ecosystems are major constraints for crop production [ 1 , 2 , 3 ] affecting 250 million people [ 4 ]. Many arid and semi-arid regions of the world exhibit a significant portion of salt and degraded marginal lands.…”