EFFECT OF GYPSUM APPLICATION ON PERFORMANCE OF VETIVER (VETEVERIA ZIZANIODES) GRASS IN A HIGHLY ALKALI SOIL

A field experiment was undertaken during 1989-91 at Gudha Research Far m, Karnal in a barren alkali soil (initial pH, 10.5). Shoot and root y ields of vetiver [Veteveria zizanioides (L.) Nash.] were significantly lower in the alkali plots compared with gypsum-treated plots. The ana lysis of major and micro-elements revealed that most of these were rel atively more concentrated in tile roots than in the shoots. However, K and S were greater in the shoot than in the root. In general, increas ing dose of gypsum application reduced the Na concentration and enhanc ed that of Ca, Mg, K, P, S, Fe and Mn in the plant. Application of gyp sum reduced the pH, electrical conductivity and exchangeable Na of soi l and increased the exchangeable Ca + Mg in all the soil layers up to 45 cm, the effect being more pronounced in the upper 15 cm soil layer.