Augmentation of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (methi) Growth under Salinity Stress and Allelochemical stress Through Mn+B+Zn Mixture Foliar Spray

Abstract

Salinity and allelopathy are major environmental factors that lead to deterioration of agricultural land anda reduction in crop productivity worldwide. The given investigations were undertaken to assess whether exogenous application of Mn+B+Zn mixture through foliar spray ameliorate the adverse effects of salinity and Basil leaf litter stress on growth and biochemical activities of methi plants. In this concern, three concentrations of NaCl (i.e. 0.2%, 0.4% and 0.6%) along with 5% BL were applied in soil medium and the suspension of Mn+B+Zn in ratios (1:1:1) in concentrations of 2.5ppm and 5ppm were sprayed once a week. Foliar applications of micronutrient mixture were found to improve all the studied growth parameters and biochemical activities of Methi plants irrespective to their growth under non-saline or saline conditions. The results of this study suggest that foliar spray with micronutrient may have a potential role for increasing methi tolerance to salinity stress. The application of micronutrient spray appeared to ameliorate the toxic effects of excessive Na+ and allelochemical present in the growing medium which is reflected by producing economically feasible yields even beyond the threshold value of salinity for respective crop.