Physiological Response and Productivity of Sunflower under Saline Conditions in Southern Italy
2000
Sorrentino, G. (CNR, Rome (Italy). Irrigation Institute) | Albrizio, R. (Centre International de Hautes Etudes Agronomiques Méditerranéennes, Bari (Italy). Institut Agronomique Méditerranéen) | Giorio, P. | Lavini, A. | D'Andria, R. | Tedeschi, P.
Physiological and morphological response, ion accumulation and seed yield of Sunflower were studied in response to saline irrigation in southern Italy. The electrical conductivity (ECw) of the irrigation water was 0.9 for I0,5 and 15.6 dS m-1 for I1. Soil salinity (ECe) at anthesis reached 3.1 in I0.5 and 4.6 dS m-1 in I1, with available soil water remaining above 50percent throughout the season. Such soil conditions resulted in "mild" plant water stress as shown by the leaf water potential (Yt) that was only -1.3 MPa in I0 and -1.6 MPa in I1 at about the maximal development of the crop. A moderate reduction in Yt severely affected LAI which at the end of anthesis decreased by 33percent in I1 compared with the control, whereas gas exchange was not impaired. Ion analysis showed that Na+ was accumulated in the bottom leaves. The loss in seed yield, which was reduced by 11percent in I0,5 and 15percent in I1, compared with I0, is attributable to the leaf area index reduction. The ratio between total dry matter and water uptake did not differ between treatments and it was about 4.1 g m-2 mm-1. These data indicate that with the above conditions productivity of sunflower showed sensitivity to mild soil salinity
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