Response of some olive cultivars to different salinity levels under shade house conditions

Abstract

This experiment was carried out during two succession seasons (2019&2020) on one year old olive seedling cultivars i.e., Koroneiki, Koratina and Maraki. The studied olive seedlings were similar as possible in shape, height and width. Effect of saline irrigation water levels 2000, 4000 and 6000 ppm and their impact on some seedling vegetative growth plant parameters i.e. [fresh weight (g), dry weight (g), shoot high (cm), Trunk diameter (mm), no. of shoots, root length (cm) and no. of roots] and leaf mineral content. Among the three studied cultivars in the present work Maraki and Koratina cultivars exited increasing adaptability and better counteracting the effects of salinity stress. Results: Significant increases in dry weight of olive plant seedling and root percentages while fresh weight and height of plant as well as root length significantly decreased. Mineral N, P, K, Na and Ca leaf content was significantly varied not only among studied olive cultivars but also levels of salinity used. A high level of salinity significantly reduces the concentration of K in the leaves. However, P leaf content was not affected. Conclusion: It could conclude that Maraki olive cv. proved to be a promising salt tolerant olive genotype recommended for cultivation in arid and saline lands.