Photosynthetic pigments and photochemical efficiency of precocious dwarf cashew (<i>Anacardium occidentale</i> L.) under salt stress and potassium fertilization

Abstract

Cashew cultivation is an activity of great socioeconomic relevance, especially for agriculture in the semi-arid region of Northeast Brazil, standing out as an option to generate jobs and income. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the photosynthetic pigments and photochemical efficiency of precocious dwarf cashew under salt stress and potassium fertilization. The study was conducted using a Regolithic Neosol with sandy loam texture, adopting a randomized block design in 5×2 factorial arrangement, which corresponded to five levels of electrical conductivity of irrigation water—ECw (0.4; 1.2; 2.0; 2.8 and 3.6 dS m-1) associated with two doses of potassium fertilization—KD (100 and 150% of recommendation), with three replicates and two plants per plot. Increasing water salinity inhibited chlorophyll synthesis and decreased electron transport rate and quantum yield of non-regulated energy dissipation in precocious dwarf cashew, at 50 days after sowing. There was significant interaction for chlorophyll a and b contents and the effects of salt stress were intensified by potassium doses on the chlorophyll b content of precocious dwarf cashew. Potassium doses of 100 and 150% of recommendation (150 and 225 mg K2O kg-1 of soil) do not mitigate the effect of salt stress on photosynthetic pigment synthesis and photochemical efficiency of cashew plants in the rootstock formation phase.