EFFECTS OF IRRIGATION ONPROSOPIS JULIFLORAAND SOIL PROPERTIES OF AN ALKALI SOIL

Abstract

Field studies on an alkali soil (Aquic Natrustalf, pH 10.4 and ESP 90) examined the performance of Prosopis juliflora (SW) DC under irrigated and rainfed conditions. After 2 years, plant mortality was respectively 36 and 9 per cent in the rainfed and irrigated treatments; and mean plant height and diameter at 5 cm above ground level were respectively 137.0 cm and 2.1 cm in the rainfed treatment and 214.0 cm and 2.8 cm in the irrigated treatment. Biomass productivity in the irrigated treatment was three times that in the rainfed treatment. Water use efficiency was also higher in the irrigated treatment due to the higher biomass yield. There was little difference between the chemical composition of the parts of plants grown under rainfed and irrigated conditions. Irrigation resulted in an appreciable decrease in pH and electrical conductivity, a significant increase in water infiltration characteristics, and a more uniform distribution of moisture throughout the soil.