Effects Of Irrigation Water Salinity Research Articles

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) salt tolerance assessment

ABSTRACT The present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of irrigation water salinity on some agronomic and physiological attributes of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) and its tolerance to salinity stress. The treatments included seven levels of electrical conductivity of irrigation water (0.6 (control), 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 dSm−1) arranged in the form of a completely randomized design with three replications. The results showed that salinity stress successively decreased agronomic attributes such as root, shoot, and stem dry weight, plant height and leaf area. Physiological attributes such as relative water content as well as ion leakage differently responded to salinity stress. Relative water content response to salinity followed a quadratic regression model with the maximum of 81% at electrical conductivity of 6.87 dSm−1 and the minimum of 65% at highest salinity level of 18 dSm−1. Following an exponential regression model, ion leakage remained relatively the same till irrigation water salinity of 15 dSm−1 and reached to the maximum of 78% at highest irrigation water salinity of 18 dSm−1. In addition, shoot potassium content of purslane under non saline conditions equaled to 11% that was around 10 times more than the typical of potassium sufficient concentration for adequate growth. Moreover, with increasing salinity stress, shoot potassium content decreased to 7% at highest salinity level of 18 dSm−1 of irrigation water. However, with increasing irrigation water salinity, sodium shoot content of purslane was increased from 1.9% at the lowest salinity stress to 6.7% at the highest salinity stress. Based on the linear and nonlinear models, 10% of purslane biomass reduction occurred at soil electrical conductivity of around 10 dSm−1. In addition, 25 and 50% yield reduction observed at 16 and 25 dSm−1 of electrical conductivity of soil saturated paste. Therefore, purslane can be considered as a very salt tolerant plant, halophyte, and can successfully grow in soils with electrical conductivities not suitable for most crops.

Impacts of Saline Water Irrigation on Soil Respiration from Cotton Fields in the North China Plain

Saline water irrigation has been widely used for crop production where agriculture is short of freshwater. However, information about the response of soil respiration to saline water irrigation is limited. To identify the effect of saline water irrigation on soil respiration, the experiment based on long-term saline water irrigation cotton fields (since 2006) was conducted in the Heilonggang area in 2021. Five salinity levels in irrigation water were tested (3.4 [S1], 7.1 [S2], 10.6 [S3], 14.1 [S4], and 17.7 dS m−1 [S5]), and deep ground water (1.3 dS m−1) was used as the control (CK). After 15 years of saline water irrigation, we monitored soil physicochemical properties and soil respiration. In addition, we developed a structural equation model of the relationship between them. The results demonstrated that saline water irrigation significantly reduced soil water-stable aggregate content and porosity by 4.42–45.33% and 6.52–14.10%, respectively, and attenuated soil cellulase, α-glucosidase, and alkaline phosphatase activity. Soil respiration under saline water irrigation was significantly reduced by 5.28–33.08%. Moreover, saline water irrigation with salinity below 10.6 dS m−1 had no significant effect on cotton yield. Moreover, soil salinity (62%), water-stable aggregate content (46%), and soil porosity (25%) had significant effects on soil respiration, and soil porosity had a significant positive effect on soil alkaline phosphatase activity according to the structural equation model. Overall, saline irrigation with salinity below 10.6 dS m−1 can alleviate water shortages and reduce soil carbon emissions without affecting cotton yield in the study area.

Crescimento de porta-enxerto de maracujazeiro silvestre (Passiflora foetida L.) sob salinidades da água de irrigação

ABSTRACT Wild passion fruit species, due to the greater tolerance to environmental stresses, reveal potential as interspecific rootstocks. Passiflora foetida is a wild species potentially tolerant to salinity. Therefore, the objective with the study was to evaluate the effects of irrigation water salinity on the growth of wild passion fruit (P. foetida L.) rootstocks. The experiment was carried out in a protected environment. The treatments consisted of the electrical conductivity of the irrigation water (0.3; 1.0; 2.0; 3.0 and 4.0 dS m-1), distributed in randomized blocks. The assessments were performed at 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days after transplanting and consisted of: stem height and diameter, number of leaves, average leaf size, leaf area, and dry matter of shoots, roots and total. In younger rootstocks, the deleterious effects of salinity on height growth and leaf components were observed under lower electrical conductivities, with tolerance increasing with age. However, dry biomass accumulation was more severely restricted by salinity with increasing rootstock age. P. foetida rootstocks are salinity tolerant and can be irrigated with water of up to 4.0 dS m-1.

Effects of saline water irrigation on winter wheat and its safe utilization under a subsurface drainage system in coastal saline-alkali land of Hebei Province, China

Effects of saline water irrigation on winter wheat and its safe utilization under a subsurface drainage system in coastal saline-alkali land of Hebei Province, China

Effect of varieties and nitrogen levels on growth indices of malt barley (Hordeum vulgare) under saline water irrigation

A field experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi)season of 2017–18 and 2018–19 at the Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, to study the effect of saline water irrigation on growth indices in 4 varieties (‘BH 902’, ‘BH 946’, ‘BH 885’ and ‘DWRB 101’) of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) at different nitrogen levels (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg/ha). The results showed that, during early growth period both 6-row barley varieties ‘BH 902’ and ‘BH 946’ recorded significantly higher crop-growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR), specific leaf weigth (SLW) and leaf-area duration (LAD) than both 2-row barley varieties ‘BH 885’ and ‘DWRB 101’, whereas ‘BH 885’ and ‘DWRB 101’ varieties attained higher values of RGR and NAR after 90 days after sowing (DAS). The CGR and LAD recorded maximum values between 61 and 90 DAS, while RGR and NAR showed the highest values up to 30 DAS irrespective of varieties and nitrogen levels. Application of 90 kg N/ ha significantly enhanced the CGR up to 90 DAS, RGR up to 30 DAS and LAD up to 120 DAS, while NAR values were significantly increased up to 60 DAS with 30 kg N/ha and SLW up to 90 DAS with 60 kg N/ha. The RGR, NAR and SLW were significantly decreased with the application of different nitrogen levels between 91 and 120 DAS as compared to the control. The variety ‘BH 946’ gave the highest grain yield of 5.15 t/ha, being 5.1, 7.3 and 14.7% higher than ‘DWRB 101’, ‘BH 902’ and ‘BH 885’, respectively. Different varieties responded to N application only up to 60 kg/ha. Grain yield of barley was positively correlated with CGR, SLW and LAD but negatively with RGR.

Influence of Salinity on Micronutrient Availability in Soil and Plant in Cowpea-Groundnut Cropping System

An experiment on cowpea-groundnut rotation was conducted to study the effect of saline irrigation water on the availability of micronutrient cations (Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn) in soil and in plants with the effect of a gradual imposition of irrigation salinity (ECiw). Three saline treatments (S1: 2.0 dS m-1, S2: 4.0 dS m-1, S3: 6.0 dS m-1 with a control S0) were maintained in long-term field trials. In summer (cowpea) the soil ECe was raised to 6.01 dS m-1 while in kharif (groundnut) the ECe was 2.21 with S3. A noticeable increase in soil pH (from S0 to S3) was also observed in cowpea (0.48 unit) and groundnut (0.97 unit) seasons. The four available micronutrients in soil did not show any significant trend in both seasons. The concentration of both shoot Fe and Zn increased from control (S0) to highest salinity (S3) to the tune of 19% and 74% respectively in groundnut. The accumulation of root Fe and Zn in groundnut declined to the tune of 53% and 40% respectively with the increasing salinity from S0 to S3. For cowpea, only Zn content showed a decreasing trend among the other micronutrients. Genotypic variation of groundnut did not affect the accumulation of micronutrients as observed by testing eight groundnut genotypes in the present study. A significant drop in yield was noticed for both crops due to saline irrigation, and the groundnut yield varied between 1.6 t ha-1 (in S0) to 0.14 t ha-1 (in S3). This study marks a relevance where very less information is available on micronutrient availability in plant tissues and soil under changing salinity, especially for groundnut, which is considered an important oilseed crop from the national perspective.

Effects of Salinity Stress on Drip-Irrigated Tomatoes Grown under Mediterranean-Type Greenhouse Conditions

Plant tolerance to salinity stress is vital for irrigation scheduling, decision-making, planning and operation, and water resource management. This study is aimed to investigate the effects of irrigation water salinity on water use, growth, physiology, and yield parameters of drip-irrigated tomatoes in two different growing seasons. In addition to control (0.7 dS m−1), three irrigation water salinity levels: 2.5 (low), 5.0 (moderate), and 7.5 (high) dS m−1 were used. In both seasons, autumn 2021 and spring 2022, increased water salinities caused an increase in soil salinity, while a decrease in seasonal crop evapotranspiration. Plant heights did not show significant differences under different salinity levels in autumn 2021, while a meaningful difference among treatments was found in spring 2022. Marketable and total tomato yields, and the leaf area index showed significant decreases under increased salinities in both seasons. Stomatal conductance was not affected by salinity levels. The salt tolerance models for marketable and total fruit yields showed a low threshold and slope value in autumn 2021, contrasting with a high threshold and slope value determined in spring 2022. The results suggest that the salinity slope value should be considered, as well as the salinity threshold value, for decision making in tomato production at different growing seasons.

ANÁLISE MULTIVARIADA DE GRAVIOLEIRA SOB ESTRESSE SALINO E APLICAÇÃO EXÓGENA DE PERÓXIDO DE HIDROGÊNIO

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate, through multivariate data analysis, the effect of exogenous application of hydrogen peroxide on the photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange and growth of soursop seedlings under salt stress. The study was conducted in a greenhouse, at Federal University of Campina Grande - Paraíba. The assay was carried out from May to October 2018. The treatments were distributed in a randomized block design, in a 5 × 5 factorial arrangement, corresponding to five levels of irrigation water electrical conductivity - ECw (0.6-control, 1.2, 1.8, 2.4, and 3.0 dS m-1) and five concentrations of hydrogen peroxide - H2O2 (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 μM), with two plants per plot and four replicates. Irrigation water salinity from 1.2 dS m-1 negatively affected the biosynthesis of photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange and growth of soursop. Application of hydrogen peroxide at the concentration of 20 μM resulted in attenuation of salt stress effects on the biosynthesis of photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange and growth of soursop. Hydrogen peroxide concentrations above 30 μM intensified the deleterious effect of irrigation water salinity on the photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange and growth of soursop.

Response of turmeric to saline water irrigation on growth, physiology, antioxidant defence mechanism and productivity

Aim: The aim of the present study was to study the effect of saline water irrigation on growth, physiology, biochemical signal and economic yield of turmeric. Methodology: Pot experiment was conducted with five salinity levels (0 dSm-1, 2 dSm-1, 4 dSm-1, 6 dSm-1 and 8 dSm-1) replicated four times in RCBD. Salinity level were prepared using NaCl, CaCl2, MgCl2 and MgSO4 to maintain Cl:SO4 ratio in 7:3. Salinity treatments were imposed according to treatment scheduled 30 day after transplanting of seedling and continued till crop maturity. In each pot 2 l of saline water was applied at 10 days interval according to the treatment. The control plants were irrigated with equal amount of distilled water. Observations on morphological, chlorophyll, canopy temperature, Normalized difference in vegetative index, phenol and protein content Ascorbate peroxidase, Superoxide dismutase and yield parameters were recorded. Results: The results showed that irrigation with saline water induced changes in growth and yield parameters in turmeric crop. Plant height at different levels of salinity stress was affected significantly, the lowest (37.9cm) plant hight was observed at 8 dSm−1 salinity. A slight increase in salinity by 2 dsm-1 reduced the growth of turmeric by 15.7% as compared to control. Number of tillers, leaves per plant and leaf area was also significantly reduced. With increase in salinity levels, the chlorophyll and NDVI of leaves were reduced. The lowest fresh rhizome yield (19.8 g per plant) was recorded at 8 dSm−1 and in turn, it resulted in the lowest dry yield (2.5 g per plant) and dry recovery (12%). Interpretation: Salinity is highly detrimental to turmeric crop and leads to drastic reduction in growth, yield and productivity by reducing physiological and biochemical functions. Thus, the use of saline water in irrigation should be carefully looked inorder avoid yield loss. Key words: Chlorophyll, Dry recovery, Membrane stability, Salinity, Turmeric

Effects of potassium and saline water irrigation on growth of maize plant

A pot culture experiment was carried out during 2019-20 to evaluate the interactive effects of saline water irrigation and potassium on growth and nutrients accumulation of maize crop. The experiment was conducted in CRD with three replications. The treatments consist of 5 levels of saline water-0, 8, 12, 16 and 20 dSm-1 and three levels of amendments-FYM, K and FYM + K. The results indicated that cumulative application of saline water @ 8, 12, 16 and 20 dSm-1 decreased the shoot length (10-30%), root length (5-35%), shoot dry mass (50-65%), root weight (60-89%) and k uptake (52-69%) as compared to control. The Na content was increased by 25-107% at same level of salinity. Application of FYM + K reduced the adverse effect of Na at all levels of salinity. The K+/Na+ ratio in maize plant and ECe of soil significantly correlated with several plant parameters. The K+/Na+ ratio in soil failed to correlate well with biomass yield and nutrient accumulation. It is concluded that the K+/Na+ ratio in plant can be considered as a best indicator in evaluating crop performance in saline soils.

A adubação nitrogenada atenua os efeitos da salinidade no milho? uma revisão de literatura

Several researches have been evaluating the use of nitrogen fertilization as a way to attenuate the effects of salinity in different cultures. However, plant responses to nitrogen fertilization under saline stress conditions are quite complex and many divergent results are still found in the literature. In some studies, the application of nitrogen attenuates the effects of salinity only under low salinity conditions, in others no significant interaction between salinity and nitrogen is observed and in some it is possible to observe some attenuating effect of nitrogen in plants under saline stress. In this context, this review discusses the possibility of nitrogen fertilization to attenuate the effects of irrigation water salinity in maize.

Propagation of yellow passion fruit seedlings by cutting, grafting and seeds under salt stress

Salinity is one of the most limiting abiotic stresses in the global agricultural sector. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of irrigation water salinity on the initial development of P. edulis Sims. seedlings propagated by seeds, grafting and cuttings. Treatments were distributed in a completely randomized design, in a 5 x 3 factorial arrangement, corresponding to 5 levels of irrigation water electrical conductivity (0.3 - control, 1.8, 3.3, 4.8, and 6.3 dS m-1) and 3 propagation methods (seeds, cuttings and grafting), with four replicates and one plant per plot. Fifty days after the imposition of treatments with saline water, plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter, total chlorophyll, stomatal conductance, relative leaf water content, total water consumption, dry matter of root, shoot and total, root length and root volume were evaluated. The increase in water salinity affected with greater intensity the growth and development variables (height, total dry matter and root volume of the plant) and the physiological characteristics (stomatal conductance) of the species Passiflora edulis, regardless of the method of propagation. Seedlings propagated by grafting showed better development compared to the other propagation methods (seeds and cuttings). The interaction between the propagation methods and water salinity affected seedlings propagated by seeds and cuttings with greater intensity.

Impact of Folic Acid in Modulating Antioxidant Activity, Osmoprotectants, Anatomical Responses, and Photosynthetic Efficiency of Plectranthus amboinicus Under Salinity Conditions.

Salinity is a major threat to the sustainability of agricultural production systems. Salt stress has unfavorable implications on various plant physio-morphological and biochemical reactions, causing osmotic and ionic stress. Exogenously applied folic acid (FA) may at least provide one mechanism to evade the injurious stress effects of saline irrigation water on Plectranthus amboinicus. In this regard, two pot trials were performed during the 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 seasons in an open greenhouse of an experimental farm (29°17'N; 30°53'E) in Fayoum, Egypt. We tested four levels of saline irrigation water (SW): 34, 68, and 102 mM NaCl, plus tap water as the control = 0), combined with FA at three concentrations (25 and 50 μM, plus spray with distilled water as the control = 0). The growth parameters, biochemistry, physiology, elemental leaf status, essential oil content, and anatomical responses were assessed. Salt markedly reduced photosynthetic productivity [Fv/Fm and performance index (PI)], total chlorophyll [soil plant analysis development (SPAD)], and leaf osmoprotectant compounds, i.e., total soluble sugars (TSS), free amino acids, proline, and total phenolics, thus hampering P. amboinicus growth and essential oil yield. However, the addition of FA as a foliar spray to P. amboinicus irrigated with saline water induced increases in Fv/Fm, SPAD, and PI. These were linked with enriched stem anatomical structures, leaf osmoprotectant compounds, and enhanced leaf enzymatic activity, e.g., superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione, ascorbic acid, and antioxidant content. Under salt stress, supplementation of 25 and 50 μM FA increased the growth and production of essential oil by 27.8 and 55.6%, respectively, compared with no applied FA. The highest growth characteristics and elemental leaf contents were obtained when P. amboinicus was irrigated with 0 mM saline water and treated foliarly with 50 μM of FA compared with non-treated plants. Overall, these data showed that foliar spraying with FA reduces the impact of salt stress on P. amboinicus irrigated with saline water.

The effect of irrigation water salinity on the morph-physiological and biochemical properties of spinach under deficit irrigation conditions

The quality and quantity of the water used in agriculture are important factors to ensure sustainable agricultural production. It is crucial to determine the responses of plants under deficit irrigation conditions in the arid and semi-arid areas to varying salinity of irrigation water. The responses of spinach were investigated in terms of agronomic and physiological aspects to different water salinities and water stress levels. In this study, a total of 15 experimental treatments were carried out, including five different levels of water salinity (S1, 0.3 dS/m; S2, 1.5 dS/m; S3, 3.0 dS/m; S4, 4.5 dS/m and S5, 6.0 dS/m) and three different irrigation levels (I100; full irrigation, I75; 25% water deficit, and I50; 50% water deficit). The salinity of irrigation water had statistically significant effects on the fresh and dry weight, leaf area, membrane damage, color pigments, and carotenoid values in spinach. Similarly, irrigation water salinity has a significant effect on enzyme activities such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as proteins, proline, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) contents. Furthermore, the application of different irrigation levels in spinach; resulted in a significant difference in the fresh and dry weights, the number of leaves per plant, leaf area, leaf water content, and color pigments. Additionally, enzyme activities such as CAT, SOD, and MDA, as well as protein and proline content, were significantly affected by different irrigation levels. The highest yield response factor (ky) calculated in different irrigation water salinity applications was 1.79 in the S1 application, followed by 1.32 in the S2 (1.5 dS/m) application. It was found that ky values in spinach were less than 1.00 in irrigation with an EC of 3.0 dS/m and above; thus, making it tolerant to water shortages. In the case of irrigation with saline water such as 4.5 and 6.0 dS/m, the yield at I75 (25% water stress) irrigation level was found closely related to the treatments of full irrigation or even slightly higher. Therefore, in the water shortage regions with saline irrigation water, 25% water restriction on spinach has been proposed as an important strategy for the protection of water resources as well as control of soil salinity.

Salicylic acid attenuates the harmful effects of salt stress on basil

ABSTRACT The salinity of irrigation water and soil create considerable challenges in agriculture, as they harm the physiological processes and growth of plants. The exogenous application of antioxidant compounds, such as salicylic acid, can reduce the damage caused by salt stress. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the attenuation of salt stress induced by salicylic acid in Ocimum basilicum “Cinnamon”. The experiment was performed in randomized blocks with five irrigation water salinity levels (0.5, 1.3, 3.25, 5.2 and 6.0 dS m-1) and five salicylic acid concentrations (0, 0.29, 1.0, 1.71 and 2.0 mM), with five repetitions and two plants per plot. Growth, gas exchange, and chlorophyll indices and fluorescence were evaluated 30 days after the salt treatment was applied. An increase in the salinity of irrigation water decreased the plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, stomatal conductance, instantaneous water use efficiency, and initial fluorescence of basil “Cinnamon”. Salicylic acid was revealed to attenuate the harmful effects of irrigation water salinity on gas exchange, total chlorophyll, and initial and maximum fluorescence of basil plants.

Soil susceptibility to salinity and sodicity in sorghum areas under abiotic stress

Sorghum is a C4 grass adapted to saline and water stress, common in semiarid regions. Therefore, deficit irrigation is an alternative for rural producers, since productivity is not considerably affected. However, the use of brackish water can lead to salinization and/or sodification of the soil. Based on this, the objective was to evaluate the effect of irrigation water salinity and deficient irrigation depth on the soil sodification and salinization process. Two different experiments were carried out, designed in randomized blocks, under four irrigation blades (IB1 = 53%, IB2 = 67%, IB3 = 85% and IB4 = 94% of Culture evapotranspiration (ETc)) and four salinities, expressed in electrical conductivity (ECw) - 1.5; 3.0; 4.5 and 6.0 dS m-1. The variables analyzed were conductivity of the saturation extract (ECse) and the Sodium Adsorption Ratio of the extract (SARse), estimated by soil-water suspension 1:2.5 in layers 0 - 20 and 20 - 40 cm of the soil, considering their average.

Gas exchange, growth and quality of guava seedlings under salt stress and salicylic acid

Guava is a popular Brazilian fruit that is widely produced in Northeastern Brazil, a region with water sources that commonly have high concentrations of salts. Thus, searching for techniques that allow the management of these waters is extremely important for the expansion of irrigated agriculture. In this context, salicylic acid is a phytohormone that can contribute to reducing the effects of salt stress on plants. Given the above, this study evaluated the effect of foliar application of salicylic acid at different concentrations in the mitigation of salt stress on gas exchange, growth, and quality of 'Paluma' guava seedlings. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, in Campina Grande - PB, Brazil, using a randomized block design in a 5 × 5 factorial arrangement, corresponding to five levels of electrical conductivity of water (0.6, 1.5, 2.4, 3.3, and 4.2 dS m-1) and five concentrations of salicylic acid (0 - Control; 0.8, 1.6, 2.4, and 3.2 mM), with four replicates and two plants per plot. Foliar application of salicylic acid at a concentration of up to 1.4 mM reduced the deleterious effects of salt stress on the instantaneous water use efficiency of 'Paluma' guava seedlings at 180 days after sowing. The concentrations of salicylic acid applied via foliar did not mitigate the harmful effects of irrigation water salinity on the growth and quality of 'Paluma' guava seedlings.
 Keywords: Abiotic stress, Psidium guajava L., water scarcity.

Green nanosilica enhanced the salt-tolerance defenses and yield of Williams banana: A field trial for using saline water in low fertile arid soil

Nanotechnology offers great opportunities for sustainable management of degraded soils and using of saline water. The use of green nanoagrochemicals (e.g., nanofertilizers) derived from plant biowastes is highly concerning from an agro-environmental point of view. The impacts of nanoagrochemicals on salt tolerance mechanisms of Williams banana (Musa spp.) plants under field conditions, particularly in soils with low fertility under salinity stress and low organic matter content, have not yet been verified. Therefore, in this study, a two-year field trial was conducted to investigate the impacts of green nanosilica (GNS) application on the enhancing the salt tolerance of Williams banana plants in arid sandy soil. Banana plants were irrigated with fresh Nile River water (EC = 0.53 dS m−1) or saline groundwater (EC = 4.12 dS m−1) and sprayed with GNS at doses of 0 mg L−1 (control), 150 mg L−1 (GNS1), and 300 mg L−1 (GNS2) in spring, summer, and autumn. Spraying the saline water-irrigated plants with GNS1 and GNS2 significantly increased the total fruit yield by 30% and 45% in the first year and by 21% and 38% in the second year and reduced the concentrations of Na+ in leaves by 32% and 36%, respectively, compared with the control. Moreover, the foliar application of GNS1 and GNS2 improved the total sugar content in the banana fruits under salinity stress by 42% and 50%, respectively. We assume that GNS application induced an increase in nutrient uptake and that antioxidant and osmoregulation compounds (e.g., proline and soluble carbohydrates) enhanced banana plant tolerance to salinity stress. Although the use of GNS reduced the negative effects of saline irrigation water, banana plants that were irrigated with Nile River water remained significantly better than the saline ground water. In conclusion, the foliar application of GNS improved the productivity and quality of Williams banana fruit in sandy poor soils and enhanced their tolerance to salinity stress, which provides opportunities to expand banana cultivation using saline water in low fertile sandy arid soils. These findings might be an aid for sustainable management of degraded sandy arid soils and reusing of saline water.

Humic acid and potassium feldspar improve growth, yield and head quality of broccoli grown under saline water irrigation

An open field experiment was carried out during the two successive seasons of 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 respectivly, at Badr City, El-Beheira, Egypt to study the effect of saline irrigation water on grwoth, yield and quality of broccoli (Brassica oleraceae L var. Italica) cultivar “Marathon” grown in sand soil. During soil preparation, soil was supplied with 2 ton of gypsum and 7.8 ton of compost/fed., in combination with 2 levels of potassium feldspar (141- 424 kg/fed.), to supplement sand soil with 100 and 130 unites of K2O. Three levels of humic acid (2, 4 and 6 L humic acid/fed.) were foliar sprayed after two weeks post transplanting at 10 days intervals. Plants were arranged in three replicates using randomized complete blocks design. Control was supplied with full NPK mineral fertilizers, as recommended, and irrigated with saline irrigation water. Our results show that saline water decreased growth, yield and quality of control broccoli plants in the two growing seasons. On the other hand, application of humic acid and organic soil amendments enhanced performance of broccoli plants grown under saline water.

The effects of irrigation water salinity on the seed germination and seedling growth of rice

To determine the effects of irrigation water salinity on seed germination and seedling development of two rice cultivars, irrigation waters with low SAR (below 3) were prepared in different salinity levels (control [0.5], 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 dS m-1) from different salinity sources (NaCl, MgS04, and CaCl2 salts). The average germination rate was decreased for the cv. Baldo 20.19%, while for cv. Osmanc?k - 97 it was 26.73%. The average of the single seedling dry weight of cv. Baldo was 0.2666 g, while for cv. Osmanc?k-97 it was 0.2569 g. The average single seedling dry weight was 0.2940 g in the control application. In parallel to the increased irrigation water salinity level, the single seedling dry weight decreased. The irrigation water salinity had not affected up to 4 dS m- 1 in terms of the germination rate decrease and the single seedling dry weight of rice, but it started to be affected when increased salinity level to 8 dS m-1 and it was more effective at higher doses. Also, cv. Osmanc?k-97 was more sensitive to irrigation water salinity than cv. Baldo. In conclusion, it turns out that the irrigation water to be used in rice farming should not have salinity since the tolerance of the rice plant against irrigation water salinity is low.