ISHS Acta Horticulturae 554: World Congress on Soilless Culture: Agriculture in the Coming Millennium
ION UPTAKE AND DISTRIBUTION IN TOMATO PLANTS GROWN IN SAND AND IRRIGATED WITH BRACKISH WATER |
| Authors: | A. Grava, E. Matan, CH. Yehezkel, A. Abitan, D. Samuel, Z. Plaut |
| Abstract:
Tomatoes were grown in sand in PVC covered greenhouses between September and May for several consecutive years. Plants were fertigated using either saline or fresh (non-saline) water. The total EC of the fresh water was 2.0-2.3 dS/m and that of the saline water was 7.0-8.0 dS/m (including standard nutrient solution). Experiments were conducted during four years in order to determine the effect of salt concentration and composition, timing and length of period of plant exposure to salinity on plant development, fruit yield and quality. The present report is focused on the three dimensional distribution of salts and water tension in the root zone and on ion uptake and distribution between fruits and vegetative organs throughout the season. The findings reveal that Ca concentration in the leaves was approximately 30 folds higher than that in the fruits, while the concentrations of Cl and of Na were only 3-4 folds higher in leaves than in fruits. The concentration of Cl in both fruits and leaves was approximately 8-10 times higher than that of Na. The concentration of Cl in leaves tended to decrease throughout the season, while that of Na was nearly unchanged. The concentration of K in fruits and leaves was the same and changed only slightly throughout the season. | |
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