Effect of limited irrigation with saline water on forage of two local populations of Kochia scoparia L. Schrad

In order to evaluate the effects of limited irrigation on forage of two local populations of Kochia scoparia a field experiment was conducted in Research Field of Center of Excellence for Special Plants at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad during 2007 growing season. The experiment was performed as a split plot design based on complete randomized block arrangement. In the main plots four irrigation levels were applied including complete irrigation, 80%, 60% and 40% of water plant requirements. Two local populations of Kochia including Sabzevar and Borujerd were used in the subplots with 3 replications. The plant characteristics were studied in terms of plant height, branch number, fresh and dry matter weight, green area index (GAI), and leaf and stem dry weight. Results indicated that the different irrigation regimes had a significant effect on all plant characteristics. Maximum forage yield was obtained from complete irrigation with 13.22 t/ha dry matter and 31.81 t/ha fresh materials. Sabzevar's local population represented a better performance on all of the characteristics; however, there was no significant difference among the two populations on dry matter per plant. The interaction effects of limited irrigation and variety showed a significant difference on fresh matter weight, stem dry weight, leaf dry weight, and green area index. The stem dry weight and green area index showed the highest correlation with dry matter and fresh matter weight, respectively. It can be concluded that due to high Kochia’s resistance in the presence of drought, salinity and other desert stresses such as high temperatures this plant has the potential to be used as a forage crop in harsh environmental conditions.