FARMYARD MANURE USAGE MITIGATES THE HARMFUL EFFECT OF NaCl ON GERMINATION AND SEEDLING GROWTH OF SILAGE MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.)

Different doses of farmyard manure (FM) application effect positively on the germination rate and seedling growth of silage maize (Zea mays L.) subjected to different salinity levels. FM was applied at three levels including 0-20-40 ton ha(-1) to the maize plants grown under the salinity (S) levels of 0-75-150 mmol NaCl L-1. Germination rate (%), stem and root length (cm), stem and root dry weight (g) were recorded. FMXS interaction was found to be significant; however, seedling growth is not influenced statistically by FM alone. Sharp decrease in the stem length, root length, stems and in root dry weight by the elevated NaCl doses was noted. Finally, FM tended to mitigate the harmful effects of NaCl especially on germinating stages has been found.