Long-term response of mature plum trees to salinity
1993
Catlin, P.B. | Hoffman, G.J. | Mead, R.M. | Johnson, R.S.
Deciduous fruit trees are known to be salt sensitive but the degradation may be delayed for a number of years depending on salinity level and tree size. A field experiment was conducted in the San Joaquin Valley of California on mature plum trees. The objectives were to quantify salt tolerance with time and to document the development and impact of salt stress over a 6-year period. After three years, the salt tolerance threshold, measured as the electrical conductivity of saturated soil extracts, for fruit yield was 2.6 dS/m. At salinity levels in excess of the threshold, yield was reduced at the rate of 31% for each 1 dS/m increase in soil salinity. The continuation of this experiment for an additional three years did not alter the salt tolerance as measured by fruit yield. Attempts to revive trees that had been severely damaged by excess salinity were successful but recovery, depending on the severity of damage, requires several years.
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