EFFECT OF SALINITY OF IRRIGATION WATER ON GROWTH AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF MANGO NURSLINGS

Two mango cultivars (Succary Abiad and lebda), were irrigated with five
concentrations of saline water (0,500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 ppm). The irrigation
solution was prepared from a mixture of NaCI + CaCh + MgS04 (1 : 1 : 1 wlwlw). A
reduction in survival 0/0, vegetative growth (stem length, leaf number, leaf area, fresh
and dry weight) was associated with increasing salinity in the irrigation water and this
was greater in lebda cv. than Succary Abiad cv. The salinity treatments increased
Na", cr and Ca·· concentrations in leaves of nurslings in both cultivars. The
accumulation of sodium, chloride and calcium in the leaves was higher in respect to
the more sensitive cultivar (lebda) than the tolerant cultivar (Succary Abiad). It was
concluded that the difference in salinity tolerance was probably based on the ability of
Succary Abiad to restrict Na" and cr from the leaves and so it can be used as a salt
tolerante mango rootstock in saline soils.