Morphometric responses and tolerance of pomegranate seedlings irrigated with saline water

Abstract

Information on the production of seedlings and initial growth of pomegranate irrigated with saline water is scarce in the Brazilian semi-arid region. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of irrigation water salinity levels on the growth and tolerance of pomegranate seedlings. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, located at the Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid Region, Mossoró, RN, Brazil. A randomized block design with five treatments [electrical conductivities of irrigation water (ECw) of 0.6, 3.0, 6.0, 9.0, 12.0 dS m -1 ] and five replicates, with three plants per plot, was used. At 120 days after sowing, the following characteristics were evaluated: shoot, root and total lengths (cm); stem diameter (mm), dry mass of stem, leaves, root system and total (g); ratio between root and shoot dry mass; Dickson quality index and salinity tolerance. Growth and dry biomass accumulation in pomegranate seedlings were compromised with increased salinity in irrigation water, but with a lower intensity when subjected up to EC of 6.0 dS m -1 . Regarding the criterion of evaluation of tolerance to salinity, pomegranate seedlings were moderately tolerant to salinity.Respostas morfométricas e tolerância de mudas de romãzeira irrigadas com água salina RESUMO: As informações sobre a formação de mudas e crescimento inicial da romãzeira irrigada com água salina são escassas nas condições do semiárido brasileiro. Com isso, objetivou-se estudar o efeito dos níveis de salinidade da água de irrigação sobre o crescimento e a tolerância de mudas de romãzeiras. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação, localizado na Universidade Federal Rural do Semiárido, Mossoró/RN. Utilizou-se o delineamento em blocos casualizados com cinco tratamentos [condutividades elétricas da água de irrigação (CEa) de 0,6; 3,0; 6,0; 9,0; 12,0 dS m -1 ] e cinco repetições, com três plantas por parcela. Aos 120 dias após a semeadura foram avaliadas as características: comprimento da parte aérea, radicular e total (cm); diâmetro do caule (mm), massa seca do caule, da folha, do sistema radicular e total (g); razão massa seca da raiz e parte aérea; índice de qualidade de Dickson e tolerância à salinidade. O crescimento e o acúmulo de biomassa seca em mudas de romãzeiras foram comprometidos com o aumento da salinidade na água de irrigação, porém com menor intensidade quando submetida até CEa de 6,0 dS m -1 . Quanto ao critério de avaliação de tolerância à salinidade, as mudas de romãzeiras se apresentaram moderadamente tolerante à salinidade.

Morphophysiology of Punica Granatum L. under microalgae biomass stimulation

“…In Brazil, the crop has aroused the interest of producers, especially in the Northeast region, due to its rapid growth and adaptability to the conditions of the Brazilian semi-arid region, as well as its high market value (Almeida et al, 2019).…”

Physiological changes of pomegranate seedlings under salt stress and nitrogen fertilization

“…This fruit crop shows adequate production suitability in arid and semi-arid regions, and its cultivation can be expanded to regions where the available water has high salt concentrations, because it is relatively tolerant to salt stress, with variations among cultivars (Okhovatian-Ardakani et al, 2010;El-Khawaga et al, 2013). Almeida et al (2019), evaluating the effect of levels of irrigation water salinity on the growth and tolerance of pomegranate seedlings, found that pomegranate was tolerant to the effects of water salinity up to 6.0 dS m -1 .…”

Photochemical efficiency, biomass and chlorophyll of phyális under salinity and biostimulant

“…Brazilian Northeast show low rainfall and suffers from water scarcity and high salt content in soils and water sources used for irrigation. Such conditions severely affect the development of crops in the region (Almeida et al, 2019). The high salt content in water and soil causes salt stress in plants which may disturb growth and development, by mainly affecting the photosynthetic apparatus (Cavalcante et al, 2019), resulting in biomass production losses.…”