Effect of Some Salts on the Soil Reaction and Growth and Dry Matter Yield of <I>Leucaena leucocephala</I> and <I>Acacia auriculiformis</I> in Pot Culture

Abstract

A pot experiment as conducted to study the effect of some salts on the soli reaction and the growth and dry matter yield of Leucaena leucocephala and Acacia auriculiformis. Addition of FeSO₄ slightly decreased the soil pH whereas CaCO₃ and Na₂CO₃ increased it. Application of FeSO₄ decreased the plant height. In case of Leucaena leucocephala more at earlier stage whereas it increased the height of Acacia auriculiformis. Addition of CaCo₃, decreased the height of both the species. The application of CaCO₃, along with Na₂CO₃ had seriously affected the growth and survival of these two species.The dry matter yield of both the species was enhanced with the addition of FeSO₄. The application of CaCO₃ @ 10g/kg soil, increased the dry matter yield of Leucaena leucocephala whereas the yield of Acacia auriculiformis remained alomost unaffected. Further increase in the level of CaCO₃ applied alone or with Na₂CO₃ reduced the dry matter yield of both the species. Added FeSO₄ and CaCO₃ at lower dose, increased the dry weight of root nodules and further increase in the level of CaCO₃ decreased the nodule weight.