Desempenho agronômico da palma forrageira sob lâminas de irrigação e níveis de salinidade da água.

Abstract

Although the adaptation of forage palm to the Brazilian semiarid region, it may be influenced by soil and climatic conditions. Thus, the present research aimed at analyzing the effect of irrigation water depth and salinity levels on the cultivation of Orelha e Elefante Mexicana species. The study was carried out in pots (open to sky) in the federal University of Campina Grande, from September 2017 to December 2018. Experimental design was randomized blocks in a factorial scheme 4x4, with 4 replications. Four irrigation water depths were applied (25, 50, 75 and 100%) as a function of water retention capacity in soil and four levels of electrical conductivity: 0.60; 3.00; 5.40 and 7.80 dS m-1. Reference evapotranspiration (ET0), real evapotranspiration (ETr) and cultivation coefficient (kc) were estimated. Morphometric and physiological variables and crop biomass were evaluated. The application of irrigation water depths of 320.00 to 460.00 mm benefits forage palm ETr, even under saline conditions, the plant maintains its evapotranspirometer demand. Kc varied between 0.68 and 0.85. The plant growth was not affected by irrigation water depth and levels of salinity, except for the thickness of the secondary cladode. Increase in salinity reduced water in plant and increased percentage electrolytes leakage. Maximum salinity of forage palm Orelha de Elefante Mexicana of 2.23 dS m-1 and water depth of 354.00 mm obtained the best results of total fresh mass production 9.34 and 5.94 kg, respectively.