Short communication. Suitable growth stage to start irrigation with saline water to increase salt tolerance and decrease ion accumulation of Kochia scoparia (L. Schrad)

  • M. Salehi Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center of Golestan. Postal Code. 4915677555 Gorgan. Iran
  • M. Kafi Department of Agronomy. Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. Postal Code. 9177948974 Mashhad. Iran
Keywords: early growth stage, forages, halophyte, salinity, sodium content

Abstract

Kochia scoparia L. Schard (common name: kochia) is a mesohalophyte, C4 plant. It has the potential of being an
important fodder crop in arid and semi arid environments. In order to evaluate the effect of saline irrigation water on
the seedling growth stage and to select the best growth stage to start using saline water, an experiment was conducted
with seven different saline water treatments (1.5, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 dS m–1) at four growth stages [after emergence (T1), 5 cm (T2), 10 cm (T3), and 15 cm (T4) of plant height]. Results showed that shoot dry biomass increased slightly up to 7 dS m–1 and after that decreased with increasing salinity. Salt tolerance of kochia increased at the T3 and T4 growth stages. Sodium content of the plant was increased by using high saline water. The adverse effect of salinity on the Na content of the plant was lower at the 10-15 cm growth stage than at earlier growth stages. Potassium content was not greatly affected by salinity. As conclusion, kochia is sensitive to saline irrigation at the earliest stages of
growth, and the best plant height to start saline irrigation is between 10 and 15 cm.

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How to Cite
Salehi, M., & Kafi, M. (1). Short communication. Suitable growth stage to start irrigation with saline water to increase salt tolerance and decrease ion accumulation of Kochia scoparia (L. Schrad). Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research, 9(2), 650-654. https://doi.org/10.5424/sjar/20110902-184-10
Section
Water management