Production and postharvest of sunflower grown under salt stress in hidroponics of low cost

Abstract

In view of the specific characteristics regarding infrastructure, soil, climate, hydrology and social conditions of the Brazilian semi-arid, it is of paramount importance the use of alternative cropping systems, which take into account such features, as well as considering local water quality. In this sense, our study aimed to evaluate saline stress effects on sunflower production and post-harvest which are grown in an alternative low-cost hydroponics. Experimental design consisted of completely randomized blocks in 4 × 3 factorial scheme, with three replications. Treatments assessed the effect four salinity levels in hydroponics nutrient solution (1.7 - control, 4.3, 6.0, and 9.0 dS m-1) on crop production of three sunflower cultivars ('Sol Noturno', 'Bonito de Outono', and 'Anão de Jardim'). Our results showed that even at a maximum salinity level in nutrient solution (9 dS m-1), number of petals postharvest life remained within commercial standards for both 'Sol Noturno' and 'Anão de Jardim' cultivars.