Growth response of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp) on saline and alfisol soils

Abstract

As an archipelago country, Indonesia is surrounded by abundant saline soils which could be potential for growing food crops. The research work was conducted to study the growth responses of some pigeon pea genotypes on saline soils. The genotypes of Pigeon pea (LG Kidul, Mega, 90024, 91043 and 94028), as treatment, were grown on Alfisol soil (non-saline) and on saline soil. The experiment was carried out using completely randomized design and replicated three times. All data observed were analyzed by employing standard deviation from 3 replicates. The results of present research work revealed a significant growth retardation of pigeon pea when grown on saline soil. All growth parameters, plant height, plant diameter, root dry weight, and shoot dry weight were significantly lower on saline soil than on Alfisol soil. High concentration of Na+ was observed in roots, shoots and leaves of pigeon pea indicating growth retardation and toxicity symptoms of pigeon pea on saline soil was due to Na+.