Effects of Salinity Stress on Drip-Irrigated Tomatoes Grown under Mediterranean-Type Greenhouse Conditions

Abstract

Plant tolerance to salinity stress is vital for irrigation scheduling, decision-making, planning and operation, and water resource management. This study is aimed to investigate the effects of irrigation water salinity on water use, growth, physiology, and yield parameters of drip-irrigated tomatoes in two different growing seasons. In addition to control (0.7 dS m−1), three irrigation water salinity levels: 2.5 (low), 5.0 (moderate), and 7.5 (high) dS m−1 were used. In both seasons, autumn 2021 and spring 2022, increased water salinities caused an increase in soil salinity, while a decrease in seasonal crop evapotranspiration. Plant heights did not show significant differences under different salinity levels in autumn 2021, while a meaningful difference among treatments was found in spring 2022. Marketable and total tomato yields, and the leaf area index showed significant decreases under increased salinities in both seasons. Stomatal conductance was not affected by salinity levels. The salt tolerance models for marketable and total fruit yields showed a low threshold and slope value in autumn 2021, contrasting with a high threshold and slope value determined in spring 2022. The results suggest that the salinity slope value should be considered, as well as the salinity threshold value, for decision making in tomato production at different growing seasons.

Enhancing salinity tolerance in cucumber through Selenium biofortification and grafting

“…Similar to the outcomes shown in cucumber [ 62 ] and garlic ( Allium sativum L.) [ 32 ], under salinity stress conditions, foliar application of Se (10 mg L -1 sodium selenate) improved vegetative traits compared to the control treatment. Transferring them to the roots through water and nutrient elements absorption, the osmotic balance is essential in plant tolerance to salinity stress conditions, which is associated with increasing plant growth characteristics [ 63 ].…”

“…Salinity lowers potassium levels in cucumber plant root (Table 4 ); indeed, one of the harmful impacts of salinity is the disruption of potassium absorption. The reduction of potassium absorption due to the presence of the competing sodium ion is due to the similarity of the size of the hydrated radius of these two ions [ 62 ]. As a result, their transfer proteins are misdiagnosed.…”