Parameters of Avocado Seedlings Growing Under Saline Conditions

Abstract

Under natural conditions, photosynthesis and stomatal conductance are normally limited by Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR), temperature, water stress and salinity. A study was conducted at Maseno University, Kenya in February, 2005 to investigate on growth and physiology of avocado seedlings tolerance to salinity under naturally illuminated glasshouse conditions. Plants were grown in 4.5 L plastic pots containing soil and were subjected to either 0 (control) or 60 mM NaCl salinity treatments. Growth parameters, net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, Water Use Efficiency (WUE) and leaf chlorophyll content were all reduced by the salinity of the growth medium. Intercellular CO2 concentration and leaf chloride content were increased by the salt treatment. The study demonstrated that PAR and salinity play a substantial role in limiting net photosynthesis in this variety of avocado …