Abstract:
Five separatc field experiments were conducted at Hungama in the hambantota district, Sir
Lanka, to evaluate the growth performances of selected five tree species i.e. Tamarind
(Tamarindus indica), wood apple (Feronoa limonia), Kottamba (Terminalia catappa),
Kathurumurunga (Sesbania grandiflora) and Katuandara (Acasia leucoploea), mainly
Available in the salt-affected areas. Each tree species consisted of six treatments which
Were differentiated with three potting mixtures (i.e. top soil, sub soil and a mixture of top
Soil- cattle manure) filled in planting holes and again with mulching and without
Mulching. The experimental design for all experiments were Randomized Complete Block
Design (RCBD) with four replicates. Two months old plants raised in poly bags were used
In all the experiments. Plant height and dry matter yield of plants were determined as
Growth parameters, once in three months.
The experimental site was near the Hungama Lake and salinity of the soil is about 9.5
Mmhos/cm at topsoil and 8.3mmhos/cm at 30 cm depth. All the plants have shown good
Growth performances in all treatments. Growth performances were not significantly
Affected by mulching for all plant species.Tamarind, Wood apple and Kottamba, which
Were grown in planting holes filled with subsoil, showed significantly higher growth
Performances . But in Kathurumurunga, the better performances were observed in the
Treatment, which used a potting mixture of cattle manure - top soil while in Katuandara,
Plants grew well in all the teratments irrespective of the treatment effect. Therefore all five
Tree species, which were used for the experiment,may be recommended as salt tolerant tree
Species.
