article · Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences
Blue panicum was evaluated across three field sites with varying salinity levels to examine how planting density and organic amendments influence productivity and stress responses. Researchers tested two planting densities alongside treatments of compost and manure across locations exhibiting low, moderate, and high soil and water salinity. Across all locations, planting at a higher density of 16 plants per square metre produced the maximum annual yields, achieving 202.5 tonnes per hectare of fresh biomass and 41.2 tonnes per hectare of dry biomass. Productivity, stomatal conductance, and chlorophyll indices were highest in the least saline environment, whilst organic amendments yielded only modest production increases. Physiological stress markers shifted according to salinity severity, with specific antioxidant enzyme activities rising significantly under moderate and high salt stress. The plant demonstrated robust capacity to sustain biomass generation across saline soils.
Soil and water salinity present severe challenges to agricultural productivity in arid regions. Demonstrating that blue panicum maintains substantial forage yields under high salinity provides land managers with a viable crop choice. Understanding effective planting densities and soil amendment responses helps optimise cultivation on marginal lands affected by salinisation.
This work represents applied field testing of agronomic management protocols for forage production in salt-affected environments. The primary users are agricultural producers, livestock farmers, and extension services seeking viable fodder crops for marginal or saline lands. The research demonstrates practical planting density and soil amendment guidelines ready for farm-level validation and local adoption.
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Abstract Blue panicum ( Panicum antidotale Retz.) has been extensively studied in Southern Morocco for its ability to maintain productivity under high salinity levels. However, important knowledge gaps remain regarding crop management practices, particularly intercropping, planting density, and fertility management. Accordingly, this study evaluated, the combined effects of planting density (8 and 16 plants m − 2 ) and organic amendments (control, compost at 10 and 20 t ha − 1 , and manure at 20 and 40 t ha − 1 ) on the growth, physiology, mineral composition, and stress responses of blue panicum ( Panicum antidotale Retz.), under increasing saline conditions. Soil and irrigation water salinity were low (0.7 and 4.5), moderate (1.3 and 8.6), and high (7.8 and 2.8 dS m − 1 ), respectively. Results showed that, across sites, the highest annual biomass production was recorded under the highest density, reaching 202.5 t ha − 1 (fresh biomass) and 41.2 t ha − 1 (dry biomass). The low salinity site of Oulad Ghanem was the most productive, whereas organic amendments resulted in limited yield gains. A similar pattern was observed for stomatal conductance and chlorophyll index, which reached their highest values under low saline conditions with 393 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹ and 35, respectively. Antioxidant responses further differentiated site functioning: SOD and CAT activities increased under high salinity (72 and 9.0 U g − 1 FW, respectively), whereas POD peaked under moderate conditions (0.37 U g − 1 FW). Overall, this study demonstrates the ability of blue panicum to maintain productivity under increasing saline conditions, with organic amendments helping mitigate the adverse effect of salinity.
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DOI: 10.1007/s44447-026-00191-3
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