Water salinity and initial development of pitaya (Hylocereus undatus)

Abstract

Salinity is an important environmental problem, especially in arid and semiarid regions of the world. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of water salinity on the initial development of pitaya (Hylocereus undatus)using five levels of irrigation water with electrical conductivity (ECw) levels: 0; 1.0; 2.0; 3.0 and 4.0 dS m-1. Salinity inhibited plant height, stem diameter, root length, number of additional stems and the dry weight of roots and shoots. Tissue collapse on the stems was also noted. At the end of the experiment it was observed that 50% of plants irrigated with ECw 4.0 dS mr-1died. Roots of pitaya were as sensitive as shoots to saline effects. © 2007 by The Haworth Press. All rights reserved.