ISHS Acta Horticulturae 287: II International Symposium on Protected Cultivation of Vegetables in Mild Winter Climates
EFFECTS OF SALINE IRRIGATION WATER ON GERMINATION, GROWTH AND YIELD OF GREENHOUSE CUCUMBER |
| Author: | K.S. Chartzoulakis |
| Abstract:
The effects of salinity on germination, growth and yield of greenhouse cucumber,hybrid "Pepinex", were studied. Saline treatments were imposed by irrigating with water containing NaCl and having EC of 0.3, 1.2, 2.7, 5.0, 10.7 and 16.2 dS/m at 25°C. Salinity delayed germination but did not reduce final germination percentage significantly even at 10.7 and 16.2 dS/m EC; root elongation tended to decrease with increasing salinity. Seedling and plant growth were reduced significantly with salinities higher than 1.2 dS/m. Plant growth parameters, such as height and leaf area showed an average reduction of 20%, 54% and 85% with salinity levels of 2.7, 5.0 and 10.7 dS/m respectively. In all plant parts chloride content was much higher than sodium; visible salt injury symptoms were developed when Na and Cl content in the leaves exceeded 0.40 % d.w. and 3.6 % d.w. respectively. Relative yield of cucumber fruit was reduced by 15.9% for each unit of increase of EC of the irrigation water above the level of 1.3 dS/m EC, which was the threshold of salinity for the hybrid "Pepinex". Fruit number per plant rather than fruit size, was more affected by salinity. The cucumber hybrid "Pepinex" proved to be more salt-tolerant during germination than during the vegetative or fruiting stages of growth. | |
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