Growth and Quality of Brazilian Cherry (Eugenia uniflora L.) Ornamental Shrubs under Salinized Irrigation Water with Natural Siwa Halite

Abstract

Using either brackish or saline water is one of the most critical and serious problem in cultivation of ornamental shrubs in Mediterranean areas. So, an investigation was performed during 2021 and 2022 seasons to reveal the tolerance of Brazilian cherry (Eugenia uniflora L.) transplants to salinity of irrigation water. The applied doses of natural Siwa halite for water salinization were 0.0, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0, 8.0 and 10.0 g L-1 under the Egyptian climatic conditions. The results indicated that mean values of survival rate were gradually decreased by increasing the salinity level to be 58.33 and 70.0 % in the seasons, respectively after applying 10.0 g L-1. Similarly, were the mean values of vegetative and root growth parameters, which linearly decreased with increasing applied salinity dose up to 10.0 g L-1, with exception for 2.0 and 4.0 g L-1 ones which significantly improved values of most growth traits in most cases of both seasons. Also, salinized water at 6.0 g L-1 recorded better results compared to the control in some characters either in the first or in the second season. The same trend was observed for the results of leaf chemical composition, with the exception of K, Na, Cl and proline contents, which recorded a progressive increase with the gradual increase in applied salinity level ranged from 2 to 3 folds comparing with the control. The salt resistance index percentages were also improved by both 2.0 and 4.0 g L-1 saline water treatments, but significantly declined afterwards to reach 81.5 and 73.7 % by 10.0 g L-1, showing the high ability of such plant to cope with high salt stress. Accordingly, under conditions of fresh water rarity, it could be recommended irrigation of Brazilian cherry transplants using saline water up to 6.0 g L-1 dose to keep quality and decorative value of such plant.