Effect of salinity of irrigation water on elemental composition of some cultivars of pomegranate seedlings [electronic resource].

Includes reference.

The present work was carried out during 1995-1998 growth seasons under a shade house at the Experimental orchard of the Faculty of Agriculture, Assiut University. The aim of this work was to study the effect of four levels of salinity in irrigation water (tab water as a control, 2000, 4000 and 6000 ppm soluble salts) on the chemical composition of leaves, and roots of four different cultivars of pomegranate (Punica granatum, L.) seedlings namely (Manfalouty, Nab ElGamal, Montakhab, and Rosy) of one and two-years old. The saline irrigation water was prepared by dissolving a mixture of NaCl and CaCl2 (1:1 on the base of equivalent weight) in tab water. At the end of each growth season the concentrations of N, P, K, Ca and Na in both leaves and roots were determined. The obtained results could be summarized as follows: 1 - Salinity levels of irrigation water had no significant effects on N concentrations in leaves and roots the seedlings of Nab El-Gamal, Montakhab and Rosy, while N in leaves of Manfalouty pomegranate seedlings were reduced. 2 - Increasing the salt concentration in irrigation water up to 2000 ppm and significantly reduced the P concentration in leaves of the seedlings. P concentrations in roots of the studied cultivars were not affected. 3 - Pomegranate cultivars were differed in their ability of absorption, translocation and accumulation of K in seedlings. Increasing the salt concentration in irrigation water resulted in insignificant increases in K concentrations in leaves and roots. In the roots of the oldest seedlings, increasing the salt concentration in irrigation water up to 6000 ppm reduced the concentration of K. Rosy and Montakhab accumulated the lowest amount of K ions during the growth seasons of the study.

Summary in Arabic.

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