Morphophysiology and production of guava trees under irrigation strategies using saline water and ascorbic acid
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-21252026v3915439rcKeywords:
Psidium guajava L.. Salt stress. Non-enzymatic antioxidant.Abstract
Prolonged periods of drought in the Brazilian semiarid region have encouraged the use of water with high salt concentrations to meet the water requirements of agricultural crops. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of ascorbic acid application on the morphophysiology and yield of guava plants (cv. Paluma) subjected to irrigation strategies using saline water at different phenological stages. The experimental design was a randomized block design in a split-plot arrangement, with three replicates and one plant per plot. The main plots consisted of four irrigation strategies: irrigation with low-electrical-conductivity water (0.9 dS m-1) throughout the crop cycle; and irrigation with saline water (3.3 dS m-1) during the vegetative, flowering, or fruiting stages. The subplots consisted of three ascorbic acid (AsA) concentrations (0, 200, and 400 mg L-1). Irrigation with water at an electrical conductivity of 3.3 dS m-1 during the flowering stage resulted in higher leaf transpiration, number of fruits, and production per guava plant. The application of 200 and 400 mg L-1 AsA increased chlorophyll a synthesis and CO2 assimilation rate in guava plants under salt stress during the vegetative and flowering stages, respectively. Furthermore, ascorbic acid enhanced guava plant growth under irrigation with water at an electrical conductivity of 3.3 dS m-1 during the different phenological stages. AsA application at a concentration of 400 mg L-1 also had beneficial effects on guava yield components.
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