Effect of Salinity and Drought Stress on the Seedling Growth and Physiological Traits of Vetiver Grass (Vetiveria zizanioides stapf.)

Vetiver grass is known to survive under diverse soil and water conditions. In order to test its potential of salinity and aridity tolerance ability, the effect of salinity and aridity stress on the growth of the Vetiveria zizanioides was studied by growing plants in arid soils that receiving salinity stress. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, arrangement in a completely randomized design using 5 replications. Salinity levels of 4 (as control), 20, 30 and 40 dS m-1; Aridity levels of field capacity irrigation (as control), -6 and -10 bars were applied. There was no significant effect on growth, yield, water content and chlorophyll concentration with 20 dS m-1 salinity level. There was significant effect on Mentioned parameters with 30 and 40 dS m-1 salinity levels. The root and length weight in -6 bar were significantly greater than those in control. The water content and chlorophyll concentration were highest in 40 dS m-1 and -10 bars salinity-aridity. Water content and chlorophyll concentration were lowest in 4 dS m-1 and FC salinity-aridity treatments. Our results suggest that in EC between 20 to 30 dS m-1 with -6 to -10 bars water content Vetiveria zizanioides could be used for soil rehabilitation.

Effect of Salinity and Drought Stress on the Seedling Growth and Physiological Traits of Vetiver Grass (Vetiveria zizanioides stapf.) Keywords:

Halophytes , Rangelands , Saline , Xerophytes