Soil Salinity Impacts on Cotton and Sugarcane Productivity in Sindh’s Irrigated Areas

Abstract

Soil salinity has become a significant problem for agricultural productivity in irrigated lands of Sindh, Pakistan and the crops (cotton, sugarcane) are also facing the problem. High amounts of soluble salts in the soil decrease the availability of water, interfere with the uptake of nutrients, and affect the plant's growth leading to tremendous yield losses. This study is aimed at the evaluation and ascertainment of the effects of salinity of irrigation water on cotton and sugarcane growth, physiological traits and agro productive potential of sugarcane and cotton in important irrigated areas of Sindh. Soil samples were taken from several fields of different salinity levels and tested for electrical conductivity, sodium adsorption ratio and nutrient content. Crop growth parameters such as plant height, leaf area and biomass were recorded, whereas yield components were measured at harvests. Results showed that rising soil salinity had a negative impact on both crops resulting in a decline in growth and yield that were more noticeable for sugarcane than for the cotton. Salinity stress was related with reduction of chlorophyll content as well as decreased stomata conductance and imbalance nutrients indicating physiological burden of plants during saline condition. These results highlight the need for urgent management of salt, such as better irrigation and use of salt tolerant cultivars and soil amendments to maintain cotton and sugarcane productivities in the irrigated areas of Pakistan's leading sugar cane and cotton producing provinces-Sindh.