Evaluating the growth potential of two agroforestry tree species under salinity stress: Implications for sustainable agriculture in salt-affected areas

Cultivable soils are declining worldwide, as well as in Pakistan, owing to a rise in salinity levels within the soil, leading the world toward food shortages. A significant option in this scenario could result in the evaluation of salt-tolerant species in important agricultural areas of the world that are extremely influenced by soil salinization. Therefore, the current study of three months trial period was designed to explore the growth potential of Euclyptus camaldulensis and Syzigium cumini in salt-affected soil of Bahawalpur. Three treatments were carried out to check the impacts of sodium chloride on growth parameters of Euclyptus camaldulensis and Syzigium cumini on saline soil using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) having factorial arrangement with three replicates. Soil parameters were also determined before and after planting the Euclyptus camaldulensis and Syzigium cumini. Sodium chloride in Control (0.7g), Medium (0.14g) and in high (0.21g) doses applied under treatment groups in separate form. Results have shown a significant treatment effect and plant height was significantly reduce salt stress conditions. The maximum height was observed for Medium doses in Euclyptus camaldulensis (60.9cm) in fig 2.4 and lowest in Syzigium cumini (18.1cm) in .maximum height for stress was observed for Control in Euclyptus camaldulensis (39.2 cm) in and lowest in Syzigium cumini (19 cm) in fig 2.4 The maximum height was observed for high doses in Euclyptus camaldulensis (20.9cm) and lowest in Syzigium cumini (10.9cm). The effect of salt stress within species was significant, showing that salt stress significantly reduces stem fresh weight. Maximum stem fresh weight for control was observed in Euclyptus camaldulensis (7.70gm) and, Syzigium cumini (5.7gm), The present study results showed that treatment effect was significant for root fresh weight maximum results for control were shown by Syzigium cumini (18.64 gm) in control followed Euclyptus camaldulensis (11.39gm).