ISHS Acta Horticulturae 573: International Symposium on Techniques to Control Salination for Horticultural Productivity
SALINITY TOLERANCE IN ELYTRIGIA (AGROPYRON ELONGATUM) |
| Authors: | A. Belligno, F. La Loggia, F. Sambuco, V. Sardo, R. Brancato |
| Keywords: | Salinity, elytrigia, Agropyron elongatum, nutrient content, organic components |
| Abstract:
An experience was conducted to assess salinity tolerance of elytrigia. Six months old tussocks were transplanted in 20-liters microlysimeters and daily drip irrigated with the following seawater concentrations: zero; 20%; 40%; 60% through the three summer months. Treatments included three different leaching fractions, in three replications. Fresh water had an electric conductivity of 0.83 dS m-1 and seawater a conductivity of 54.3 dS m-1. The main results referred to fresh and dry matter, ashes and organic matter, nutrients, microelements and proteins in roots and leaves. While all the plants survived even the highest seawater concentration, fresh, dry and organic matter were significantly decreased by saline concentration: dry matter production ranged from 21.7 to 13.1 g/plant in roots and from 106.2 to 59.7 g/plant in the aerial part. Na content was considerably increased and K decreased by salinity content, whereas P, N, total proteins, Ca and Mg were practically unaffected both in roots and leaves. Also microelement (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn) uptake was not appreciably affected by seawater percentage. Opposite to that, organic components responded very remarkably to salinity, thus evidencing their osmoregulating function; the consistent response of proline confirms its possible use as a saline stress indicator. | |
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