Saline Irrigation Affects Growth and Leaf Tissue Nutrient Concentration of Three Native Landscape Plant Species

Greywater is a renewable irrigation alternative to potable water; however, its use as an irrigation source is limited by the potential for salt injury to plants. Research was conducted to determine salt tolerance of three common landscape species, small anise tree (Illicium parviflorum), ‘Henry’s Garnet’ sweetspire (Itea virginica), and muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris). Two experiments were performed, one with high sodium chloride (NaCl) concentrations and one with low NaCl concentrations. Plants received daily irrigation of tap water containing one of the following NaCl concentrations: 0 (tap water); 2000, 4000, 6000, 8000, or 10,000 mg·L−1 (high NaCl); or 0 (tap water), 250, 500, or 1000 mg·L−1 (low NaCl) for 15 weeks. Plants were harvested after 5, 10, or 15 weeks. Root dry weight (RDW) and shoot dry weight (SDW) were determined at each harvest; survival was determined at experiment termination. Leaf tissue was analyzed for tissue macronutrient [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and, magnesium (Mg)], sodium (Na), and chlorine (Cl) concentrations in the high NaCl concentration experiment. With high NaCl, RDW and SDW decreased with increasing NaCl for all species. Anise and sweetspire had low or no survival, respectively, at the highest NaCl concentration; muhly grass had 100% survival regardless of treatment. In general, leaf macronutrient, Na, and Cl increased with increasing NaCl concentration. With low NaCl, there was no effect of NaCl concentration on RDW or SDW for all species. All three species continued to grow between harvest dates in the lower NaCl concentration experiment, whereas only anise and muhly grass continued to grow with high NaCl. Anise and muhly grass were tolerant of saline irrigation that could be expected from greywater. Sweetspire exhibited symptoms of salt stress (necrotic leaves and leaf drop, visual observation) at all NaCl concentrations including the lowest (250 mg·L−1), and should not be irrigated with saline water.

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Sodium Chloride Effects on Growth, Morphology, and Physiology of Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum ×morifolium)

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.43.6.1888 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 43 (6) ◽

pp. 1888-1891 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

M. Kate Lee ◽

Marc W. van Iersel

Keyword(s):

Stomatal Conductance ◽

Plant Height ◽

Irrigation Water ◽

Saline Water ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Chrysanthemum Morifolium ◽

Quality Characteristic ◽

Small Reduction ◽

Saline Irrigation ◽

Shoot Dry Weight

As a result of the decreasing availability of high-quality irrigation water, salinity tolerance of greenhouse crops is of increasing importance. Saline irrigation water can have many negative effects on plants, but also has the potential to act as a growth regulator because of its ability to reduce plant height. To determine the effects of NaCl in the irrigation water on the growth, physiology, and nutrient uptake of chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum ×morifolium Ramat.), plants were watered with solutions with different NaCl concentrations (0, 1, 3, 6, or 9 g·L−1). Plants receiving 9 g·L−1 NaCl had a 76% reduction in shoot dry weight, a 90% reduction in stomatal conductance (g S), and a 4-day delay in flowering compared with control plants. Chrysanthemums receiving 1 g·L−1 NaCl had a 4-cm reduction in height with only a small reduction in shoot dry weight. Stomatal conductance and transpiration were reduced by more than 60% by NaCl concentrations of 1 g·L−1 as compared with control plants. The combination of a small reduction in dry weight and a large decrease in transpiration resulted in increased water use efficiency when plants received 1 g·L−1 NaCl. Concentrations of 3 g·L−1 NaCl or higher resulted in poor-quality plants either as a result of wilting of the leaves (3 g·L−1) or severely stunted plants (6 and 9 g·L−1). Our findings indicate that chrysanthemums can be grown successfully with 1 g·L−1 NaCl in the irrigation water without negative impacts on plant quality. This has important implications for the greenhouse industry as the availability of nonsaline water decreases. Saline water may be more readily available and can have the added benefit of reduced plant height, which is an important quality characteristic for floriculture crops.

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Morphological and Physiological Responses of Ten Ornamental Taxa to Saline Water Irrigation

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci12463-17 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 52 (12) ◽

pp. 1816-1822 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Qiang Liu ◽

Youping Sun ◽

Genhua Niu ◽

James Altland ◽

Lifei Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Saline Water ◽

Physiological Responses ◽

Leaf Tissue ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Salt Damage ◽

Saline Water Irrigation ◽

Shoot Dry Weight ◽

Hydrangea Macrophylla ◽

Elevated Salinity ◽

Hibiscus Syriacus

Because of limited supply of high-quality water, alternative water sources have been used for irrigation in water-scarce regions. However, alternative waters usually contain high salt levels, which can cause salt damage on salt-sensitive plants. A greenhouse study was conducted to evaluate the relative salt tolerance of 10 common ornamental taxa to saline water irrigation. The 10 taxa studied were Chaenomeles speciosa ‘Orange Storm’ and ‘Pink Storm’ (Chaenomeles Double Take™); Diervilla rivularis ‘G2X885411’, ‘G2X88544’ (Diervilla Kodiak®, Black, Orange, and Red, respectively), and ‘Smndrsf’; Forsythia ×intermedia ‘Mindor’ (Forsythia Show Off®); Hibiscus syriacus ‘ILVOPS’ (Hibiscus Purple Satin®); Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Smhmtau’ and ‘Smnhmsigma’ (Hydrangea Let’s Dance® Blue Jangles® and Rave, respectively); and Parthenocissus quinquefolia ‘Troki’ (Parthenociss quinquefolia Red Wall®). Plants were irrigated with a nutrient solution at an electrical conductivity (EC) of 1.2 dS·m−1 (control) or saline solutions at EC of 5.0 or 10.0 dS·m−1 (EC 5 or EC 10) eight times on a weekly basis. The results indicated that the 10 ornamental taxa had different morphological and physiological responses to salinity. The C. speciosa and D. rivularis plants in EC 5 had severe salt foliar damage, whereas those in EC 10 were dead. Hibiscus syriacus ‘ILVOPS’ performed well in EC 5 treatment with a shoot dry weight (DW) reduction of 26%, but those in EC 10 had severe foliar salt damage. Hydrangea macrophylla, F. ×intermedia ‘Mindor’ and P. quinquefolia ‘Troki’ were the most salt tolerant with minor foliar salt damage. The two H. macrophylla cultivars had the highest shoot sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) concentrations with a visual quality of 3 (scale 0 to 5 with 0 for dead plants and 5 for excellent performance), indicating that H. macrophylla plants adapted to elevated salinity by tolerating high Na and Cl concentrations in leaf tissue. Forsythia ×intermedia ‘Mindor’ and P. quinquefolia ‘Troki’ had relatively low leaf Na and Cl concentration, indicating that both taxa are capable of excluding Na and Cl. Chaenomeles speciosa and D. rivularis were sensitive to salinity with great growth reduction, severe foliar salt damage, and high Na and Cl accumulation in leaf tissue.

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Effect of Salinity Levels (NaCl) on Yield, Yield Components and Quality Content of Sesame (Sesamum Indicum L.) Cultivars

Environmental Management and Sustainable Development ◽

10.5296/emsd.v5i2.9852 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 104

Author(s):

Helale Bahrami ◽

Amir Ostadi Jafari ◽

Jamshid Razmjoo

Keyword(s):

Plant Height ◽

Yield Components ◽

Seed Oil ◽

Tap Water ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Salinity Level ◽

Shoot Dry Weight ◽

Weight Yield ◽

Yield And Yield Components ◽

Salinity Levels

Seeds of ten sesame cultivars (Karaj, Darab, Safiabad, Jiroft, Borazjan, Yellow-white, Felestin, Ultan, Isfahan and Abpakhsh) were sown into soil filled pots in 2008 and 2009. Pots were watered with six levels of salts (0.0038 (tap water as control), 4.89, 8.61, 10.5, 14.54, 17.74 ds.m-1 NaCl) until full maturity. Plant height, root and shoot dry weight, yield and yield components, seed oil and protein contents of cultivars were measured. Increasing salinity caused significant reduction in plant height, root and shoot dry weight, yield and yield components, seed oil and protein contents of all cultivars. However, there were significant differences among the cultivars for measured traits for each salinity level. Based on seed oil yield data, Safiabad and Kraj at 0.0038ds.m-1, Safiabad and Ultan at 4.89ds.m-1, Ultan, Safiabad and Darab at 8.61 salinity levels were the superior cultivars. High variability in tolerance to salinity among the tested sesame cultivars suggests that selection of more salt tolerant cultivars for planting or breeding purposes is possible.HighlightsEffects of contrasting salinity levels (0.0038 (tap water as control), 4.89, 8.61, 10.5, 14.54, 17.74 ds.m-1NaCl) on sesame cultivars were tested. Salinity reduced plant growth and yield and seed oil and protein contents. However, there were significant differences among the cultivars for measured traits for each salinity level.

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THE INFLUENCE OF SPRAYING WITH POTASSIUM SILICATE AND IRRIGATION WITH SALINE WATER IN SANDY SOIL ON Calendula officinalis L.

The Future of Biology ◽

10.37229/fsa.fjb.2019.04.30 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 39-56

Keyword(s):

Agricultural Research ◽

Saline Water ◽

Tap Water ◽

Block Design ◽

Foliar Spray ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Potassium Silicate ◽

Research Station ◽

Calendula Officinalis ◽

Calendula Officinalis L

Two pots experiments were conducted at the Experimental Farm of El-Qassasin Horticultural Research Station, Agricultural Research Center, Ismailia Governorate, Egypt, during two successive seasons of 2016/2017 – 2017/2018, to investigate the effect of potassium silicate at (0, 4, 6, and 8 cm3/l) as a foliar spray under different levels of water salinity (tap water, 1000, 2000 and 3000 ppm) on Calendula officinalis L. plant. The experiment was performed in complete randomized block design as factorial experiment with 3 replicates. The obtained results cleared that using salinity levels decreased growth parameters (plant height, number of branches/plant, fresh and dry weights of herb/plant), flowering parameters (flower diameter, number of flowers/plant, fresh and dry weight of flowers (g/plant) during eight cuts and fresh and dry weight of flowers (g/plant/season)) and chemical constituents (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carbohydrate and carotenoid contents) compared to control. Moreover, the highest values in these parameters were registered by potassium silicate at 8 cm3/l concentration. Proline content increased in leaves with using saline water at 3000 ppm + potassium silicate at 8 cm3/l. Generally, it could be concluded that potassium silicate at 8 cm3/l, showed a uniform impact in alleviating inhibition of Calendula officinallis L. plant growth and productivity under moderate salinity stress condition.

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Isolation and Assessment of the Symbiotic Efficiency of Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) Nodulating Rhizobial Isolates from Eastern Hararghe Highlands of Ethiopia

Current Agriculture Research Journal ◽

10.12944/carj.9.2.04 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 91-105

Author(s):

Mulugeta Mekonnen ◽

Ameha Kebede

Keyword(s):

Vicia Faba ◽

Faba Bean ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Symbiotic Efficiency ◽

Shoot Dry Weight ◽

Nacl Concentration ◽

Vicia Faba L ◽

Positive Correlations ◽

Ph Range ◽

Rhizobial Isolates

This particular work was devoted to isolate and assess the symbiotic efficiency of faba bean (Vicia faba L.)-nodulating rhizobia isolate at few faba bean growing areas of the eastern Hararghe highlands of Ethiopia. Overall 50 rhizobia isolates were obtained from soil samples of three Woredas (districts) of the eastern Hararghe highlands using the host trap method. Out of these 50 isolates, 40 were presumptively identified as rhizobia. Among these 40 rhizobia isolates, only 31 were successful to nodulate faba bean, and authenticated as true faba bean nodulating rhizobia. Concerning the symbiotic efficiency, about 52%, 35%, and 13% of the rhizobial isolates were found to be highly effective, effective, and lowly-effective, respectively. The correlation data on the sand experiment displayed that nodule dry weight was associated positively and significantly (r = 0.494, p<0.05) with shoot dry weight while shoot dry weight was associated positively and significantly (r=0.41, p<0.05) with plant total nitrogen. Positive correlations were also observed concerning shoot dry weight and dry weight of nodules (r = 0.7, p<0.05) on unsterilized soil. Among the observed rhizobium isolates, EHHFR (4A, 6A) showed the highest symbiotic efficiency above 110%, tolerated NaCl concentration ranging from 2% to 6% and 2% to 8%, respectively, and a pH range of 4.5 to 8 and 5 to 8, respectively. Thus, based on their symbiotic efficiency at the greenhouse level and relative tolerance to extreme conditions these faba bean nodulating rhizobia isolates were recommended to be used as nominees for the future development of faba bean rhizobial inoculants after being tested on field conditions.

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Salinity and Growing Medium Regulate Growth, Morphology and Ion Uptake of Gaillardia aristata

Journal of Environmental Horticulture ◽

10.24266/0738-2898-25.2.89 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 25 (2) ◽

pp. 89-94 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Genhua Niu ◽

Denise S. Rodriguez ◽

Yin-Tung Wang

Keyword(s):

Saline Solution ◽

Tap Water ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Growth Morphology ◽

Flower Bud ◽

Shoot Dry Weight ◽

Elevated Salinity ◽

Growing Medium ◽

Lateral Shoots ◽

Flower Bud Abortion

Abstract A study was conducted to characterize the response of Gaillardia aristata Pursh to salinity (0.8, 2.0 or 4.0 dS/m) and growing media: 100% perlite (Perlite), 100% Sunshine Mix No. 4 (Mix), 1 to 1 (by vol) perlite and Sunshine Mix No. 4 (Perlite Mix), or 1 to 1 Sunshine Mix No. 4 and composted mulch (Mix Mulch). Type of medium did not influence shoot dry weight (DW). However, root to shoot DW ratio was highest for plants grown in Perlite. Shoot DW of plants irrigated with tap water (0.8 dS/m) was higher compared to those irrigated with saline solution at 2.0 or 4.0 dS/m, except for those grown in Mix. Salinity did not alter the root to shoot DW ratio. In general, elevated salinity led to relatively short plants. Plants were taller when grown in Perlite or Mix Mulch with fewer lateral shoots compared to plants grown in Mix and Perlite Mix. Flower bud abortion occurred in plants grown in Mix or Perlite Mix, while this phenomenon was not observed in plants grown in Perlite or Mix Mulch. Overall, plants performed better in Perlite and Mix Mulch than Mix and Perlite Mix.

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Response of 10 Aster Species to Saline Water Irrigation

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.51.2.197 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 51 (2) ◽

pp. 197-201 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Shasha Wu ◽

Youping Sun ◽

Genhua Niu ◽

James Altland ◽

Raul Cabrera

Keyword(s):

Growth Parameters ◽

Saline Water ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Poor Quality ◽

Mineral Concentration ◽

Salt Damage ◽

Shoot Dry Weight ◽

Quality Water ◽

Poor Quality Water ◽

Copper Canyon

Asteraceae is one of the largest plant families with many important garden ornamental species. Salt tolerance of 10 aster perennials was evaluated in a greenhouse experiment, including the following: damianita (Chrysactinia mexicana), gregg’s mistflower (Eupatorium greggii), shasta daisy (Leucanthemum ×superbum ‘Becky’), blackfoot daisy (Melampodium leucanthum), lavender cotton (Santolina chamaecyparissus), aromatic aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium), copper canyon daisy (Tagetes lemmonii), four-nerve daisy (Tetraneuris scaposa), skeleton-leaf goldeneye (Viguiera stenoloba), and zexmenia (Wedelia texana). Plants were irrigated with nutrient solution at electrical conductivity (EC) of 1.2 dS·m−1 (control) or saline solutions at EC of 5.0 or 10.0 dS·m−1 (EC 5 or EC 10) for 5 weeks. Upon termination, growth parameters, foliar salt damage, relative chlorophyll content [Soil-Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) readings], and mineral concentration were measured. Gregg’s mistflower, skeleton-leaf goldeneye, and lavender cotton were the most salt-tolerant species with less reductions in shoot dry weight (DW) in both EC 5 and EC 10. Considering the relatively severe foliar salt damage (visual quality score of 3.1 and 2.7 at EC 5; 2.4 and 1.6 at EC 10) and mortality rate (10% and 40%) in EC 10, aromatic aster and zexmenia should be avoided where poor quality water may be used for irrigation. Gregg’s mistflower and skeleton-leaf goldeneye had relatively lower leaf sodium (Na) concentrations suggesting that both species can selectively exclude Na. Damianita and the four daisies, i.e., blackfoot daisy, copper canyon daisy, four-nerve daisy, and shasta daisy, were salt sensitive as evidenced by their greater growth reduction, foliar salt damage, and high Na and chlorine (Cl) accumulation in leaves, and should be avoided in landscapes where poor quality water may be used for irrigation.

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Responses of Growth and Mineral Nutrition of Garden Roses to Saline Water Irrigation

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.48.6.756 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 48 (6) ◽

pp. 756-761 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Genhua Niu ◽

Terri Starman ◽

David Byrne

Keyword(s):

Irrigation Water ◽

Saline Water ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Salinity Treatment ◽

Leaf Injury ◽

Shoot Dry Weight ◽

Visual Damage ◽

Saline Solutions ◽

The Rose ◽

Severe Leaf

The responses of garden roses to irrigation water with elevated salts are unknown. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the relative salt tolerance of 13 self-rooted rose cultivars by irrigating the plants with nutrient solutions at an electrical conductivity (EC) of 1.4 dS·m−1 (control) or nutrient saline solutions at EC of 3.1, 4.4, or 6.4 dS·m−1. In Expt. 1, ‘Belinda’s Dream’, ‘Caldwell Pink’, ‘Carefree Beauty’, ‘Folksinger’, ‘Quietness’, and ‘Winter Sunset’ plants were grown in a greenhouse from 13 Aug. to 21 Oct. (10 weeks). Shoot dry weight of all cultivars decreased as EC of irrigation water increased. ‘Winter Sunset’ was most sensitive among these cultivars to salt stress followed by ‘Carefree Beauty’ and ‘Folksinger’ with severe leaf injury at EC of 3.1 dS·m−1 or higher or death at EC of 6.4 dS·m−1. No visual damage was observed in ‘Belinda’s Dream’ or ‘Caldwell Pink’, regardless of the salinity level. In Expt. 2, ‘Basye’s Blueberry’, ‘Iceberg’, ‘Little Buckaroo’, ‘The Fairy’, ‘Marie Pavie’, ‘Rise N Shine’, and ‘Sea Foam’ plants were grown in the greenhouse from 29 Sept. to 16 Nov. (7 weeks) and irrigated with the same nutrient or nutrient saline solutions. Salinity treatment did not affect shoot dry weight of ‘Basye’s Blueberry’, ‘Little Buckaroo’, ‘Sea Foam’, and ‘Rise N Shine’. Shoot dry weight of ‘Iceberg’, ‘The Fairy’, and ‘Marie Pavie’ decreased as EC of irrigation water increased. No or little visual damage was observed in ‘Little Buckaroo’, ‘Sea Foam’, and ‘Rise N Shine’. Leaf tip burns were seen in ‘Iceberg’, ‘Marie Pavie’, ‘Basye’s Blueberry’, and ‘The Fairy’ at EC 6.4 of dS·m−1. Generally, these symptoms were less severe than those observed in Expt. 1, probably attributable partially to the shorter treatment period. Whereas shoot Na+ and Cl– varied greatly among the rose cultivars, the shoot concentrations of Ca2+, K+, and Mg2+ did not. Generally, salinity-tolerant cultivars had higher shoot Na+ and Cl– concentrations. In summary, in Expt. 1, ‘Belinda’s Dream’ was the most tolerant cultivar, whereas ‘Winter Sunset’ was the least tolerant followed by ‘Carefree Beauty’. In Expt. 2, ‘Iceberg’, ‘Marie Pavie’, and ‘The Fairy’ were less tolerant to salinity as compared with other cultivars, although the differences were small.

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Hypersensitivity of Ranunculus asiaticus to Salinity and Alkaline pH in Irrigation Water in Sand Cultures

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.44.1.138 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 44 (1) ◽

pp. 138-144 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Luis A. Valdez-Aguilar ◽

Catherine M. Grieve ◽

James Poss ◽

Michael A. Mellano

Keyword(s):

Irrigation Water ◽

Water Reuse ◽

Tissue Concentration ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Ph Control ◽

Tuberous Root ◽

Root Weight ◽

Saline Irrigation ◽

Shoot Dry Weight ◽

Tuberous Roots

Ranunculus, grown as a field crop in southern and central coastal California, is highly valued in the cut flower and tuberous root markets. However, concerns regarding the sustainability of ranunculus cultivation have arisen when the plantations are irrigated with waters of marginal quality because the viability of the tuberous roots may be compromised. A study was initiated to evaluate the effect of saline irrigation waters, with and without pH control, on the growth of plants and tuberous roots of ranunculus. Treatments consisted of four irrigation water solutions with increasing concentration of Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, SO42−, and Cl− to meet an electrical conductivity (EC) of 2, 3, 4, and 6 dS·m−1 and pH 6.4. The 3, 4, and 6 dS·m−1 solutions were replicated with uncontrolled pH, which averaged 7.8 over the trial. Ranunculus ‘Yellow ASD’ and ‘Pink CTD’ seedlings were transplanted into greenhouse sand tanks and irrigated twice daily with treatment solutions. Shoot dry weight of plants irrigated with 2 dS·m−1 solutions was 7.20 g and 6.66 g in ‘Yellow ASD’ and ‘Pink CTD’, respectively; however, increasing EC from 2 to 3 dS·m−1 induced an 83% and 78% decrease, respectively. Tuberous root fresh weight of control plants, 7.45 g and 8.42 g for ‘Yellow ASD’ and ‘Pink CDT’, respectively, was decreased by 82% and 89% when EC was 6 dS·m−1. High pH of irrigation water caused an additional decrease in shoot dry weight and tuberous root weight. In control plants, 83% and 76% of tuberous roots of ‘Yellow ASD’ and ‘Pink CTD’, respectively, that were transplanted in the following season produced new shoots; however, tuberous roots sprouting percentage from plants irrigated with EC 4 dS·m−1 water decreased to 42.9% and 58.3% and to 11.1% and 45.0% with EC 6 dS·m−1. The hypersensitivity of ranunculus to salinity was associated with a significant decrease in Ca2+ and K+ tissue concentration. In ‘Yellow ASD’, Ca2+ decreased from 202 mmol·kg−1 in control plants to 130 mmol·kg−1 in plants irrigated with 3 dS·m−1 solutions and pH 6.4. In ‘Pink CTD’, the decrease was from 198 mmol·kg−1 to 166 mmol·kg−1. Potassium was similarly affected. Compared with control plants (405 mmol·kg−1), shoot Na+ concentration was increased by 101% in ‘Yellow ASD’ and by 125% in ‘Pink CTD’ when irrigated with 6 dS·m−1 water. Salt sensitivity of ranunculus, as determined by growth of the flowering stems and viability of the tuberous roots, was increased by irrigation with alkaline waters, which was associated with additional increases in Na+ and Cl– tissue concentration and decreased iron accumulation. Hypersensitivity to salinity makes ranunculus crop a poor candidate for water reuse systems; however, further research is warranted to elucidate the possibility of enhancing its tolerance to salinity by supplemental Ca2+ and K+ and acidification of irrigation water.

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Vegetative and Reproductive Response of Olive Cultivars to Moderate Saline Water Irrigation

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.43.2.320 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 43 (2) ◽

pp. 320-327 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Sebastian Weissbein ◽

Zeev Wiesman ◽

Yhonathan Ephrath ◽

Moshe Silberbush

Keyword(s):

Olive Oil ◽

Saline Water ◽

Tap Water ◽

Irrigation Treatment ◽

Oil Yield ◽

Soil Leaching ◽

Saline Irrigation ◽

Reproductive Response ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Olive Cultivars

Selected superior olive cultivars cultivated on a large scale in various countries in the Mediterranean region were tested in a special saline irrigation experimental plot established in 1997 in the center of the semiarid Israeli Negev area. The plot comprised two subplots containing the same 12 olive cultivars in a mirror image design. One subplot was drip-irrigated with tap water (1.2 dS·m−1) and the second with moderate saline water (4.2 dS·m−1). All cultivation practices applied to the two subplots were similar in terms of fertilization, irrigation, soil leaching, and so on. The present study summarizes the vegetative and reproductive response of the tested olive cultivar trees during the 5 years after they reached maturation and full yield. Evaluation of trunk growth, olive yield, oil percentage, olive oil yield, and fatty acid composition of the oil, sodium and chloride leaf levels, and soil fractions up to 90 cm enabled characterization and comparison of the horticultural performance of the various olive cultivars intensively cultivated with the two tested irrigation treatments. The data clearly showed a significant difference between the tested cultivars in terms of growth, yield, and oil parameters. Grouping the tested cultivars in terms of olive oil production yielded the following three groups: Group A—‘Barnea’, ‘Maalot’, and ‘Picholin’—their average oil yield ranged from 8 to 10 kg/tree; Group B—‘Souri’, ‘Frantoio’, ‘Leccino’, ‘Arbequina’, ‘Picual’, ‘Kalamata’, ‘Koroneiki’, and ‘Picholin di Morroco’—their average oil yield ranged from 5 to 8 kg/tree; and Group C—‘Picudo’—ranged from 3 to 4 kg/tree. Saline irrigation treatment at 4.2 dS·m−1 demonstrated only a low rate of retardation effect on growth or yield of olive trees compared with water at 1.2 dS·m−1 of the same cultivar in each subplot. The data obtained from the present study suggest that efficient productive cultivation of mature olive cultivars in Israeli Negev semiarid conditions, irrigated with moderate saline water, is closely related to proper soil leaching methodology and maintaining the soil electrical conductivity level in the root zone in a range lower than 6 dS·m−1.

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