Varieties of manioc under salinity concentrations in irrigation water, under protected cultivation

Abstract

Salinity adversely affects the growth and development of agricultural crops and the productivity of cultivated species, as these processes are limited by water deficit, ion-induced toxicity and nutritional imbalance. However, there are few studies of the cassava crop evaluating its tolerance under conditions of saline stress. In this work, the objective of this work was to compare the behavior of cassava varieties under salinity concentrations in irrigation water in protected cultivation. The experiment was conducted between April and August of 2016, at the State University of Southwest of Bahia, campus of Vitória da Conquista-BA. The treatments consisted of five varieties (BRS Mulatinha, Platinão, BRS Poti Branca, Sergipe and BRS Verdinha) submitted to four levels of irrigation water salinity (0, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0 dS m^-1) , In the experimental design in randomized blocks, with 4 replicates, composing factorial 5 x 4. The experimental unit was formed by a pot (1 plant per pot). After 120 days, the following characteristics were evaluated: average plant height; stem diameter; dry mass of the stem, leaves and roots. In the experimental conditions used, the Sergipe and Platinão varieties were superior and all evaluated characteristics were influenced negatively.