Brackish Water Consumption to Sustain Nutrients Concentration in Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) Through a Leaching Fraction Stratagem

Abstract

This study determines the nutrients composition of berseem, irrigated with brackish water through different leaching fractions. In this study, five saline waters of different types (canal water, EC= 2dSm ^-1, EC= 3dSm ^-1_, EC= 4dSm ^-1_, EC= 5dSm ^-1) were used with leaching fraction of <15% and >15%. For layout of the experiment, randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used. The experiment comprised of 5 treatments and replicated three times; W1= Control (canal water + <15% LF and >15% LF; W2= EC 2.0 water with normal irrigation + <15% LF and >15% LF; W3= EC 3.0 water with normal irrigation + <15% LF and >15% LF; W4= EC 4.0 water with normal irrigation + <15% LF and >15% LF; W5= EC 5.0 water with normal irrigation + <15% LF and >15% LF. From every pot, the samples of berseem plants were taken for analysis from the laboratory. The maximum nutrient concentration of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium and magnesium contents were obtained in harvested berseem from pots with W1 + <15% LF. However, the treatment W5 resulted the high sodium contents in the berseem plants. Leaching fraction showed to be suitable to stun harmful effect of salty water on contents of several nutrients existing in berseem fodder crop.