Genetic Evaluation and AMMI Analysis for Salinity Tolerance in Diverse Wheat Germplasm

Soil salinity is one of the major environmental constraints in increasing agricultural crop production, especially wheat production in India. Screening of diverse germplasm in representative growing conditions is prerequisite for exploring traits with stable expression imparting salinity tolerance. A study was undertaken during 2011–2012 for characterizing wheat germplasm in three environments representing growing conditions of crop in Northern parts of India, estimating inter-relationship among traits and evaluating stability of trait conferring salinity tolerance. Significant value of mean square for observed trait across the environments signified presence of large variability in genotypes. Significant yield reduction was recorded in almost all genotypes in saline environment compared to non-saline condition. Ratio of potassium and sodium ion in leaf tissue (KNA); a key salt tolerance traits was found to be significantly correlated with biomass, SPAD value and plant height. Due to the presence of significant genotype × environment interaction (G × E) for KNA, additive main effect and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model was utilized to study stability of KNA among genotypes and environments. IPCA1 and IPCA2 were found to be significant and explained more than 99 per cent of variation due to G × E. KRICHAUFF was having maximum trait value with specific adaptation while DUCULA 4 and KRL 19 were having general adaptability. AMMI2 biplot revealed high stability of Kharchia 65 and KRL 99 across environments. E1 (timely sown, non-saline soil) recorded maximum site mean while E2 (timely sown, sodic soil) was having minimum interaction with genotypes (AMMI1 = 1.383). Thus, our studies suggest that AMMI model is also useful for estimating adaptability of traits other than yield utilized for breeding salt tolerant wheat varieties

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All India Coordinated Research Project on Management of Salt Affected Soils and Use of Saline Water in Agriculture

Compilation report by different AICRP center of 2008-2010This Biennial report contains the Research results for 2008-2010 at twelve centers including 4 volunteer centers covering arid, semi arid, irrigated rainfed and coastal ecosystems.The eight centres of AICRP located in various agro-ecological settings besides independently working on location specific problems also act as outreach network centres of CSSRI. It is satisfying that soil and ground water characterisation studies being undertaken in different states are being synthesized to produce soil and ground water quality maps and to finalize new criteria and guidelines for their use. Experiments on conjunctive use of alkali and canal waters, use of poor quality waters using FYM and gypsum as amendments, testing and assessment of improved irrigation methods for different crops and cropping systems, management of heavy textured soils under irrigated and rain fed environment, use of agro-chemicals to minimize alkalinity hazards, status of fluoride and nitrate in ground water and impact of saline water on groundwater quality, soil properties and crop performance have given new insights into the problems and led to improved technologies.ICA

SALT AFFECTED SOILS OF NAIN EXPERIMENTAL FARM: SITE CHARACTERISTICS, RECLAIMABILITY AND POTENTIAL USE

The authors are thankful to Haryana State Administration to allow acquiring land for experimental farm of the institute. Special thanks are due to Dr. Gurbachan Singh (former Director and Chairman ASRB New Delhi) for selection of farm site. Thanks are also due to Dr. Anand Swarup, Dr. J. C. Dagar, Dr. K. K. Mehta and Dr. D. R. Sharma former Heads, Soil and Crop Management Division for valuable suggestion. Inputs of Dr. S. K. Singh, Head, NBSS&LUP, Kolkata is also acknowledged. Mr. Sita Ram and Sunil Jangra SRF are thanked for field data collection and preparing soil sampling scheme. The technical supports of Sh. Naresh Kumar, Rati Ram, Sahib Singh, Parshottom Lal and central laboratory, are acknowledged for soil sampling, chemical analysis and tracing workSalt affected soils of Nain Experimental Farm (Village Nain, District Panipat and State Haryana) were surveyed, characterized and classified for reclamation and management. It also provides primary input for soil characteristics prior to planning any research experiment for arable crops. Historically, the farm area (10.8 ha) was a barren, flat scrub land showing thick salt efflorescence/crust with high soil salinity at surface with saline ground water. Located at the Indo-Gangetic alluvial plain under semiarid climate, salt affected soils are highly variable and complex saline and sodic in nature. The presence of calcretes (calcium carbonates nodules/concretions) and ferricretes (iron oxides nodules) showed irreversible precipitation of calcium, iron and manganese in sodic soils under poor drainage condition. These soils also showed variable soil texture, lack distinct horizon development and showed ustic soil moisture regime, thus, classified as Haplustepts under the USDA Soil Taxonomy. Highly saline soils are classified at phase level. Sodic character is shown at the subgroup level following modified classification by Verma et al. (2007). The non-availability of good quality water (canal/tubewell) restricted its use for arable cropping. Seepage and accumulation of salty parent materials caused high soil salinization in soil profiles at lower topographic zone. The spatial variability studies using grid sampling method is used for mapping spatial distribution of soil salinity /alkalinity and soluble ions. The dominance of chloride and sulfates of sodium, calcium and magnesium in saline soils and the presence of carbonates and bicarbonates in sodic soils showed necessity for salt leaching and gypsum treatment for reclamation. Soils with low to moderate salinity are suggested for growing salt tolerant varieties with necessary soil and water management practices. Highly saline and sodic soils may be used for fisheries development or forestry purposes. The quality of ground water at shallow depth (80 ft) is saline and unfit for irrigation. It may used in cyclic or mixed mode with good quality water. The quality of drain water is good but is available in monsoon season only. These soils are also used for brick kilns and industrial development purposes such as Thermal Power generation, Fertilizer Manufacturing (NFL) and Oil Refinery (IOC) plants in nearby areas. In areas where good quality irrigation water is available, these soils were used for growing rice and wheat.Not Availabl