EFFECT OF DIFFERENT PLANTING TECHNIQUES ON SALINITY SUSCEPTIBLE ORNAMENTAL TREE SPECIES IN THE SEMI-ARID REGION OF BATHINDA, PUNJAB, INDIA

On the basis of morpho-physiological, biochemical, and anatomical parameters during the 1 st and 2 nd years of the experiment, plants were classified as salt-tolerant and susceptible.From these plants, saltsusceptible tree species (Milatia ovalifoloa, Bauhnia purpurea, Putranjiva roxburghii, Koelreutria paniculate, and Jacaranda mimosifolia) were planted with ridge and sub-surface planting methods at the PAU regional research station in Bathinda.The field experiments were conducted in a factorial randomized block design with 30 treatments and replicated three times.The treatments were comprised of two planting techniques (ridge method 15, 30, 45cm and sub-surface planting method 15, 30, 45cm) and five ornamental tree species.The pH and EC of the soil increased as it was irrigated with Saline water (underground water, pH 8.99, and EC 3.65 dS/m).Among different tree species, the highest mean value of all parameters in salt-susceptible tree species was found when the plants were plated with the ridge method (15cm) and irrigated with saline water up to the estimated salinity of 0.46 dS/m.The maximum plant height (95.93cm), stem girth (10.95mm), and survival percent (100%) were observed in the ridge planting method (15cm), and in the J. mimosifolia tree species, the maximum plant height (130.83cm),stem girth (13.43cm), and survival percent (100%) were observed as compared to other saltsusceptible tree species.