SALINITY INDUCED EFFECTS ON THE NUTRIENT STATUS OF SOIL, CORN LEAVES AND KERNELS

The effect of salinity in inducing soil macro and micronutrient defici encies that can decrease crop growth was evaluated in a com (Zea mays L.) field located in east central Wyoming. In this study water soluble Na was found to be a better predictor of salinity than pH and other c ations. Soil saturated paste extracts had electrical conductivities th at were negatively correlated with soil total K, Cu, Fe, and Mn. Total N, NO3-N, PO4-P, Zn, pH, and water soluble Na, Ca, and Mg of the soil were positively correlated with EC. Significant positive relationship s existed between soil EC and N, P, Mo, and Zn, and negative relations hips with K, Cu, Fe, and Mn of com leaves and kernels. Concentrations of nutrients in the kernels were positively correlated with correspond ing nutrient concentrations in the leaves and with AB-DTPA extractable soil nutrients. The analysis of variance of EC data indicated that so il samples possessing high salinity were higher in pH and contained si gnificantly higher soluble Na, Ca and Mg, total N, NO3-N, PO4-P, and Z n and significantly lower Mn compared to samples having low salinity. The kernel weight per cob and plant height were significantly reduced as salinity increased.