ORIGINAL RESEARCH
The Growth and Yield Response of Sesbania
to Deficit Irrigation with Brackish
Water in the Thar Desert
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1
State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjinag Institute of Ecology and Geography,
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urmuqi 830011, China
2
Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company, 16th Floor, the Harbour Front Building, Block 4, Clifton, Karachi 75600, Pakistan
3
Dr. Muhammad Ajmal Khan Institute of Sustainable Halophyte Utilization, University of Karachi,
Karachi 75270, Pakistan
Submission date: 2024-01-12
Final revision date: 2024-03-24
Acceptance date: 2024-08-03
Online publication date: 2024-12-11
Corresponding author
Mai Wenxuan
State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjinag Institute of Ecology and Geography,
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urmuqi 830011, China
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ABSTRACT
Water scarcity and land shortages are the principal obstacles contributing to global crop yield
reduction. Utilizing low-quality land and brackish water for agriculture emerges as a key solution to
meet global food demands. This study aims to explore the growth and yield performance of Sesbania
plants under varying percentages of brackish water irrigation (100% brackish (T1), 75% brackish (T2),
50% brackish (T3), and control (T4)) over a four-month open field experiment. Various physiological and
growth parameters, including plant height, root length, specific leaf area, chlorophyll content, root-toshoot
ratio, above-ground and below-ground biomass, and total yield, were evaluated. Results indicated
significant decreases of over 70 to 80% under T1 and T2, while T3 showed a moderate reduction of 20
to 30% compared to T4 in growth parameters and yield. Soil moisture content, temperature, and salinity
were monitored monthly from the 0-60 cm soil profile, particularly in the T1 treatment receiving 100%
brackish water. Moisture content and salinity increased steadily across all depths, while temperature
exhibited spikes in November and December. The findings suggest that Sesbania plants exhibit better
growth and yield under T3 treatment, demonstrating their salt and drought tolerance. This underscores
their suitability for cultivation in desert environments. Consequently, this research presents an optimal
strategy for leveraging desert lands and brackish water resources by cultivating species resilient to salt
and drought conditions.