Morphophysiology of guava cv. Paluma with water of different salt concentrations and proline doses

Abstract

Quantitative and qualitative limitations of water resources in Northeast Brazil, besides the excessive use of fertilizers without criteria related to soil analysis and crop needs, has called the attention for studies on techniques that allow saline waters to be used in agriculture. This study aimed to evaluate physiological and growth responses of grafted guava plants, cv. Paluma, as a function of irrigation with saline water and foliar applications of proline. The experiment was carried out in protected environment in Pombal – PB, Brazil, in a randomized block design in 4 x 4 factorial scheme, with three replicates, and treatments consisted of four levels of irrigation water electrical conductivity – ECw (0.3; 1.0; 1.7 and 2.4 dS m-1) associated with four doses of proline (0, 5, 10 and 15 mmol L-1). Grafted plants of guava cv. Paluma can be grown using water with ECw of 1.1 dS m-¹ since it led to acceptable mean reduction of 10% in growth and physiological activity. Mean proline dose of 8 mmol L-1 leads to increase in the number of leaves and dry matter accumulation. The interaction between proline doses and water salinity levels did not affect either growth or physiology of grafted plants of guava cv. Paluma, at 101 days after transplanting.