Saline water and nitrogen doses in the cultivation of West Indian cherry in the post-grafting phase

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the photosynthetic pigments and growth of the West Indian cherry cv. BRS 366 Jaburu in the post-grafting phase as a function of the salinity levels of the irrigation water and nitrogen fertilization under greenhouse conditions, in the municipality of Campina Grande-PB. The study was performed in randomized blocks, consisting of two levels of electrical conductivity of irrigation water - ECw (0.8 and 4.5 dS m-1) and four nitrogen doses (70, 85, 100, and 115% of the recommended dose for the crop), with three replications. The synthesis of chlorophyll a and carotenoids in the West Indian cherry plants was inhibited with ECw of 4.5 dS m-1. Nitrogen fertilization in the estimated doses of 92 and 80% of N reduced the effects of salt stress on the contents of chlorophyll a and b in West Indian cherry plants, at 630 days after transplanting. The increment in nitrogen fertilization increases quadratically the absolute and relative growth rate of the diameter in the rootstock of the West Indian cherry plants under irrigation with saline waters.