It was aimed to investigate effect of water salinity tolerance on M.M. 106 and Pyrus communis rootstocks to the response of the growth measurements, photosynthetic pigments and carbohydrates content. In this regard eight growth parameters namely: (plant height; stem diameter; number of leaves per plant; leaf area; fresh & dry weights of total plant; root length and top/root ratio), photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a & b and carotenoids) and carbohydrates content in response to specific effect of four studied factors i.e., soil kind; salt concentrations, sodium adsorption ratio and chloride levels (Cl: SO4 ratio) as well as interaction effects of their possible combinations were investigated. Data obtained revealed that specific effect of each investigated factor was directly reflected on its own combinations. Herein, the M.M.106 and Pyrus communis rootstocks transplants grown in clay soil irrigated with 2000 ppm X SAR 3 X lower chloride level (Cl: SO4 ratio) exhibited statistically the greatest values of various vegetative growth parameters, photosynthetic pigments and total carbohydrates content during the two seasons of study. On the contrary, the least values of the investigated measurements were always in concomitant to those M.M.106 and Pyrus communis rootstocks transplants grown in sandy soil X highest salt concentration (6000 ppm) X SAR 6 X higher Cl: SO4 ratio whereas, the reveres decrease was detected during the two seasons of study. However, other combinations were in between the aforesaid two extremes.
From obtained results of the present dissertation it could be recommended for nursery men that under shortage of available fresh water that saline solution of relatively lower level of salt concentration (2000 ppm); SAR 3 and Cl: SO4 could be safely used for irrigation purposes with any soil kind (clay, calcareous and sandy) . |
