Annals of Agriculture and Environment

Enhancing The Resilience of Rhodes Grass (Chloris Gayana) To Saline Water: A Combined Approach Integrating Soil, Nutrient, Water Management and Planting Techniques

Asad Salim

Behrani Agricultural Farms, Village Khadim Hussain Behrani, Kot Ghulam Muhammad, Mirpur Khas, Sindh, Pakistan

https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8972-8505

Ahmed Salim

Behrani Agricultural Farms, Village Khadim Hussain Behrani, Kot Ghulam Muhammad, Mirpur Khas, Sindh, Pakistan

Keywords: Salinity mitigation, integrated management, nutrient efficiency, sustainable forage production, crop resilience, rhodes grass productivity, adaptive agricultural practices

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Abstract

This study evaluated the impact of a combined management approach integrating soil, nutrient, and water management with planting techniques and adaptive monitoring to enhance the resilience of Rhodes Grass (Chloris gayana) under saline conditions. Conducted at Behrani Agricultural Farms, Sindh, Pakistan, from 2021 to 2024, the experiment compared the combined approach with a control group across salinity levels of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 dSm⁻¹. The combined management strategy significantly improved key parameters. SPAD values, indicating chlorophyll content, remained stable under 2.0 dSm⁻¹ (37.0 in the combined group vs. 30.9 in control). Nitrogen uptake increased to 15,878 mg Kg⁻¹ at 2.0 dSm⁻¹ compared to 12,702 mg Kg⁻¹ in the control. Similarly, potassium and phosphorus uptake were 16,587 mg Kg⁻¹ and 2,073 mg Kg⁻¹ in the combined approach group, outperforming 11,058 mg Kg⁻¹ and 1,451 mg Kg⁻¹ in the control. Plant growth metrics also showed marked improvements; plant height reached 104.2 cm (combined) versus 89.1 cm (control) under 2.0 dSm⁻¹. Fodder yields were higher in the combined group, with green fodder yield of 19.47 t ha⁻¹ versus 16.25 t ha⁻¹ in the control. Enhanced forage quality was indicated by higher crude protein (7.29% in combined vs. 6.98% in control) and reduced crude fiber content, improving digestibility. These results confirm that the combined management approach effectively mitigates salinity stress, enhances growth, and improves yield and quality of Rhodes Grass. The study concludes that the combined strategy is the most effective method for sustaining forage production in saline environments, ensuring improved agricultural productivity and resilience.