Reducing Salinity Stress in Murcott Mandarin Orchards Using Different Soil Amendments

Abstract

Aims: The response of “Murcott” mandarin trees budded on Volkamer Lemon rootstock grown in salt-affected soil to different alleviating salinity stress additions was studied. Study Design: This research was designed to fit The complete randomize block design (CRBD). Place and Duration of Study: The present study was carried out in a private “Murcott” mandarin orchard located in “El-Adlia Association”, El-Sharqia Governorate, Egypt, during two successive seasons 2014/2015 and 2016/2017. Methodology: Eight different treatments were used as follow: 1) Control, 2) Magnetite at 138 kg/ha (Mag, knowing that ha = 10000 m2), 3) Effective microorganisms at the rate of 12 L/ha. (EM), 4) Biotic at the rate of 12 L/ha. (B), 5) Mag+B, 6) Mag+EM, 7) B+EM and 8) Mag+B+EM. Results: These different treatments mitigated salinity stress, reduced leaves osmotic pressure, thus increased fruit set, fruit yield, fruit quality, root distribution, photosynthetic pigments and mineral concentrations in leaves of Murcott trees compared with the control. Proline accumulations in fresh leaves, as well as soil pH and EC at the end of the two seasons also were recorded. Conclusion: The combination between B and EM in the presence or absence of Mag enhanced the ability of mandarin to alleviate salt stress and produced the highest yield and fruit quality.