Gas exchanges, water relations and growth of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) as affected by salinity of irrigation water

摘要

A study into the long term effects of increasing salinity on vegetable crops was started in 1988. In 1993, the effects of salinity on aubergine cv. Mirabelle, transplanted on a clay-loam soil at the University of Naples, were investigated. Plants were irrigated with fresh water or saline (0.5 or 1.0% NaCl). A 1% salt solution reduced photosynthetic rate by 52% compared with the control and this was associated with reduced stomatal conductance and inhibition at the chloroplast level, as intercellular CO2 was higher in the leaves of the saline-stressed plants. Total water potential showed a more pronounced decrease in the leaves compared with the roots. Root density was lower with saline irrigation. Severe saline stress reduced plant height by 30%,leaf area by 55% and leaf DM by 40%. The total and marketable yields were also reduced by 32% and 55%, respectively.