Mitigation of salinity stress in Sesbania through inter-cropping with halophyte Hedysarum scoparium in dry-land conditions

Salinity severely limits fodder crop productivity in dry-land regions by inducing ionic imbalance, osmotic stress, oxidative damage, and metabolic dysfunction. This study evaluated the growth, physiological, and biochemical responses of <i>Sesbania sesban</i> (L.) Merr. under mono-cropping and inter-cropping systems with halophyte <i>Hedysarum scoparium</i> Fisch. et Mey. (HS). The crops were grown under both saline and fresh water irrigation. Inter-cropping with HS significantly alleviated salinity stress in Sesbania by improving ionic balance and reducing stress-related metabolite accumulation. Under saline conditions, inter-cropped Sesbania showed higher chlorophyll content, enhanced photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll <i>a</i>, chlorophyll <i>b</i>, carotenoids, and chlorophyll <i>a</i>/<i>b</i> ratio), and improved growth traits, including plant height, biomass per plant, and total fodder yield, compared with mono-cropped plants. Furthermore, inter-cropping increased stress-responsive proteins and antioxidant enzyme activities, particularly catalase and ascorbate peroxidase, resulting in reduced hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde levels. Overall, inter-cropping Sesbania with HS reduces ionic and oxidative stress, leading to improved physiological performance. Consequently, this system offers a sustainable and cost-effective strategy for enhancing fodder production in saline dry-land environments.