Influence of Sodium Chloride Salinity on Soil Properties and Early Growth of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
Folorunso1 O.A., *A.M. Chiroma1 and D. Abdullahi2
1Department of Soil Science,University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.
2Bauchi State Agricultural Development Programme, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author: email: amchiroma@yahoo.co.uk
Accepted on September 26, 2005.
Abstract
The effects of NaC1 salinity on soil properties and growth of groundnut were investigated. Treatments consisted of three levels of salinity, having exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) of 7.90, 12.81 and 19.97 respectively with corresponding saturation extract having electrical conductivity (ECe) of 0.75, 3.06 and 5.76 dS m-1. Sodium chloride salinity resulted in reduction of steady-state infiltration rate and cumulative water intake by 47-76% and 39-69% respectively. Seedling emergence of groundnut was delayed and appreciably reduced by NaC1 salinity. Plant height, leaf relative water content and leaf area index were reduced by 27-44%, 8-23% and 37-41% respectively.