Impact of saline water on fodder yield of oat and soil properties

Supply of food, fiber and fuel for growing population urge the agricultural user to exploit and optimize the usage of saline water resources. Therefore, a three years study (2013 to 2016) was conducted to explore the salinity tolerance potential of oat crop by using the irrigation water with different salinity levels. Oat crop was sown in cemented blocks with five treatments i.e. T1= control (tap water), T2= ECiw 4.0 dS m-1,T3= ECiw 6.0 dS m-1, T4= ECiw 8.0 dS m-1, T5= ECiw 10.0 dS m-1. All the recorded data for plant height (14.93%), fresh fodder yield (32.75%) dry fodder yield (50.22%) and moisture % in leaves (2.11%) showed that a significant reduction occurred in T5 (ECiw 10.0 dS m-1) as compared to control. Soil properties pHs, ECeand SAR were also negatively affected by continuous use of saline water and higher level of EC iw(10.0 dS m-1) in T5 showed more detrimental effects on soil properties and proved more hazardous for oat production.