Utilizing salt affected ecosystem by growing Banana cultivars for sustainable production

Salt affected soil (SAS) is a holistic term used to designate the soils having either excess soluble salts and/or exchangeable sodium. Soils are classified into normal, saline, sodic and saline-sodic. High ESP (>15) deteriorates the structure, impedes the water and air flows, reduces water intake capacity and hampers the root penetration in sodic soils. Several trees species slowly improve the physical, chemical and biological properties of sodic soils. Considering relatively less returns from agro-forestry trees, efforts have been made for raising more profitable fruit crops in sodic lands. Fifteen banana genotypes were evaluated for growth, yield and physiological parameters under saline – sodic condition.The soil is characterised with a pH of 8.9, EC of 1.4dsm-1 and ESP of 15%.  The irrigation water recorded a pH of 8.4 and EC of 1.87 dsm-1 and 12% RSC.  In this study on screening for resistance to sodic stress, field evaluation was  carried out. Yield attributes showed highest yield in FHIA -1 (23.5 kg), Saba (22.2 kg), Udhayam (22.5 kg) and Karpooravalli (22.0 kg). FHIA – 1(1.0), Saba (1.0) and Karpooravalli (2.0) recorded the minimum sodicity damage score. Comparative performance evaluation revealed that the cvs. Saba, FHIA – 1 and Karpooravalli were found to be field tolerant under sodic conditions. The cultivars Grand Naine, Rasthali and Co-1 were ranked as sensitive to sodicity stress.