EFFECT OF SALINE WATER IRRIGATION ON IONS UPTAKE AND FORAGE YIELD OF BERSEEM (TRIFOLIUM ALEXANDRINUM L.) DURING SEEDLING STAGE

The two varieties of berseem viz., JHB- 146 and JB- 5 selected initially on the basis of screening
for salt tolerance were evaluated for Na+/K+ uptake at seedling stage under different salinity levels. The present results indicate that Na+ concentration increased with increasing levels of salinity as well as durations in root and shoot of both varieties. K+ concentration decreased with increasing levels of salinity but increased with duration in root and shoot of both varieties. Na+ or K+ content was higher in moderately tolerant JHB – 146 as compared to moderately sensitive JB – 5. Cultivar JHB – 146 was found to high tissue tolerance and better forage quality traits viz., shoot length, root length, sugar contents, protein and proline as compared to JB- 5. Variety JHB – 146 had high ability to withstand high salinity, better forage quality, ion partioning and fast growing nature, forms an ideal forage legume for saline agriculture