Resposta de plantas jovens de algaroba (Prosopis juliflora (S.W) D.C) à salinidade.

Abstract

The present work, carried out in the Forest Nursery belonging to the DEF/CSTR/UFPB, aimed to verify the compartment of young mesquite plants in relation to salinity, notably with regard to growth and absorption of Na and K. The plants were submitted to treatments with 0 ; 30; 60; 90; 120; and 150 mM of NaCl, in nutrient solution, for 45 days. Biweekly, the height and diameter of the collar of the plants were evaluated. At the end of the experiment, shoot and root dry matter production and shoot Na and K concentration were evaluated. According to the results obtained, it can be concluded that: the salinity imposed by the application of 60 mM of NaCl benefited the mesquite plants, by allowing an increase in growth, showing that this species benefits from moderate salinity conditions in the substrate, As NaCl concentrations above 60 mM harmed the plants because, probably, they caused a nutritional imbalance, reducing the growth and accumulation of K.