Mitigation of salinity stress in Sesbania through inter-cropping with halophyte Hedysarum scoparium in dry-land conditions

TL;DR

Growing Sesbania with the salt-tolerant plant Hedysarum scoparium helps reduce the harmful effects of salinity, improving growth and fodder yield in dry-land areas.

Contribution

This study demonstrates that inter-cropping with a halophyte mitigates salinity stress in Sesbania through physiological and biochemical improvements.

Findings

Inter-cropping with Hedysarum scoparium improved ionic balance and reduced stress-related metabolites in Sesbania under salinity.

Inter-cropped Sesbania showed higher chlorophyll content, better photosynthetic pigments, and increased growth traits under saline conditions.

Stress-responsive proteins and antioxidant enzymes were elevated in inter-cropped plants, reducing oxidative damage markers.

Abstract

Salinity severely limits fodder crop productivity in dry-land regions by inducing ionic imbalance, osmotic stress, oxidative damage, and metabolic dysfunction. This study evaluated the growth, physiological, and biochemical responses of Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr. under mono-cropping and inter-cropping systems with halophyte Hedysarum scoparium Fisch. et Mey. (HS). The crops were grown under both saline and fresh water irrigation. Inter-cropping with HS significantly alleviated salinity stress in Sesbania by improving ionic balance and reducing stress-related metabolite accumulation. Under saline conditions, inter-cropped Sesbania showed higher chlorophyll content, enhanced photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids, and chlorophyll a/b ratio), and improved growth traits, including plant height, biomass per plant, and total fodder yield, compared with mono-cropped plants. Furthermore, inter-cropping increased stress-responsive proteins and antioxidant enzyme activities, particularly catalase and ascorbate peroxidase, resulting in reduced hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde levels. Overall, inter-cropping Sesbania with HS reduces ionic and oxidative stress, leading to improved physiological performance. Consequently, this system offers a sustainable and cost-effective strategy for enhancing fodder production in saline dry-land environments.

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