Pea Cultivation in Saline Soils: Influence of Nitrogen Nutrition

Abstract

Salinity is one of the most important abiotic factors limiting plant growth and productivity. This is especially acute in arid and semiarid regions of the world. In this chapter, attention is paid to evaluate the influence of different forms of nitrogen on the tolerance and the yield of pea (Pisum sativum L.) plants cultivated under different saline conditions. Results show that the nitrogen form influenced pea growth, yield and ionic content, both under the presence and absence of salinity. Under nonsaline conditions, the highest growth and yields were obtained by NO3NH4, whereas under salinity, NO 3 − displayed the highest values. The inoculation with a salt-tolerant strain allowed the nodule formation process to remain unaffected by salt. Nevertheless, these plants had lower yields than NO 3 −-fed plants, although similar values to NH4 +-supplemented plants, indicating that, by relying solely on biological N2 fixation or NH4 + fertilization, pea yields under saline conditions will be compromised.