The Effect of Irrigation Water Salinity on the Morphological and Physiological Traits of Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris L. var. cicla Moq.)

Abstract

Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L. var. cicla Moq.), which is grown as a vegetable in Turkey and well adapted to the Marmara region, was used in our experiments. Provided by a producer, chard seedlings were grown in 6 L plastic bags in a non-heated plastic greenhouse. Starting from the 4-5 true-leaf stage to harvest, sodium chloride (NaCl)-added tap water at 5 different electricity conductivity (EC) values [(0. 4 (tap water, control), 8, 16, 24 and 32 dS/m)] was used as irrigation water. The results showed that the EC of the irrigation water affected some of the morphological and physiological properties of chard. An increase in the EC value of irrigation water led to a decrease in the number of leaves, leaf weight, leaf area, plant length, root length, chlorophyll content and increase in the injury level in the leaves and leaf thickness of Swiss chard. The changes observed upon the application of irrigation water with an EC of 16 dS/m were 50% greater than those observed in the control plants, whereas irrigation water with an EC of 32 dS/m results in severe discoloration and yellowing, but the plant was still alive. Therefore, chard growing can be suggested in agricultural areas with salinity problems.