Abstract:
A trial to test the suitability of mango stocks for the saline conditions of the Arava dry region was initiated near Yotvata in 1971. It comprised 3200 seedling of 80 cultivars and types, including poly and monoembryonic types, planted in a dense pattern.
Irrigation was given by tricklers, with water containing about 600 ppm chlorine and 900 ppm sulfate.
Detailed measurements and surveys have been carried out since spring 1972. In the summer of 1973, most of the plants of most types were found to be in a state of absolute decline; however, a few groups, especially those of the polyembryonic 13/1 and its kin, exhibited relatively strong resistance to salinity in many plants.
Individual plants of some monoembryonic types were also outstanding in their strong resistance and vigorous growth.
Plants of the well-developed groups were transplanted in summer 1973 to a plantation close to the site of this trial.
Subsequently, in summer 1974, these stocks were grafted with commercial cultivars to observe their behavior under orchard conditions.
It was decided to keep one plant of each of the out-standing groups as well as the individuals that had made good growth in the trial, to serve for vegetative propagation of salt-resistant stocks.
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