Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the interaction between the fertilization with nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) and irrigation with saline water on the water relations, gas exchanges and chlorophyll a fluorescence in West Indian cherry in the vegetative stage. The study was carried out in protected environment, using lysimeters filled with clay loam Regolithic Neosol, with low P content, installed in a randomized block design, arranged in a factorial scheme with five levels of electrical conductivity of irrigation water (ECw), and four managements of P and N fertilization, with three replicates and one plant per plot. Along the experiment, water relations, gas exchanges and chlorophyll a fluorescence were evaluated in West Indian cherry plants. The increase in irrigation water salinity reduces the gas exchanges of the plants, but the increment of 40% in N supply increases the photosynthetic activity of West Indian cherry at recommendation levels higher than 100:100% of the P/N ratio, when irrigated with ECw of up to 3.0 dS m-1. The combined action of N and P, at doses of 140:140% N/P recommendation, increases leaf turgor in the plants, regardless of the ECw level. The increment of 40% in N dose reduces the effects of salinity on the initial fluorescence of chlorophyll a in West Indian cherry irrigated with up to 2.2 dS m-1.
Highlights
West Indian cherry (Malpighia emarginata DC) has an attractive fruit for its pleasant taste and high contents of vitamin C, vitamin A, iron, calcium and vitamins B-complex (Thiamin, Riboflavin, and Niacin) (Adriano et al, 2011)
The highest relative water content (RWC = 80.65%) was observed in plants fertilized with 140:140% P/N, exceeding by 11.35% the value found in plants cultivated with 100:100% P/N
The water saturation deficit (WSD = 19.35%) was inferior in plants subjected to that treatment (140:140% P/N), 29.81% lower in comparison to those under the control treatment (Figures 1A and 1B)
Summary
West Indian cherry (Malpighia emarginata DC) has an attractive fruit for its pleasant taste and high contents of vitamin C, vitamin A, iron, calcium and vitamins B-complex (Thiamin, Riboflavin, and Niacin) (Adriano et al, 2011). Despite the great adaptability to semi-arid conditions, the reduction in the water volume of the water sources of the region, combined with the high concentration of salts found in the water, it is necessary to look for management strategies that enable the use of low-quality (saline) waters in the irrigation of the crops (Medeiros et al, 2003). The effects of water and/or soil salinity on plants are attributed to the reduction in the osmotic potential, specific ion concentration and to the nutritional and hormonal imbalance (Esteves & Suzuki, 2008; Munns & Tester, 2008; Sá et al, 2015). It becomes necessary to identify the most adequate strategy for the management of water and/or soil salinity, aiming to maintain the physiological status of the plants cultivated under salt stress conditions
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
