Abstract

Irrigated agriculture is dependent on adequate water supply and its quality. Waterused for irrigation can vary greatly in quality, depending upon type and quantity ofdissolved salts. They originate from dissolution or weathering of the rocks and soils,and by intrusion of seawater into the river and underground water resources. Theproblem of saltwater intrusion due to groundwater over-exploitation is one of themajor threats in the coastal areas of Italy, as occurs in Apulia region, where thechronic water shortage forces farmers to use saline irrigation water.Salinity is detrimental for many crops because of its negative effects on the physiologyand production. The salinity tolerance, as well as the genotype, is influenced byseveral agronomic and environmental parameters as air temperature and relativehumidity (RH). Thus, conditions leading to a reduction of transpiration, as lowertemperature and higher RH, can contribute to greater tolerance to salinity. Thus,the techniques that reduce the transpiration rate and heat stress of the crops couldhave a positive effect on salinity tolerance. Among those there is the kaolin-basedparticle film technology (Pft) that employs a multi-functional, environmentally friendlymaterial effective in pest control, mitigation of heat stress, and to produce fruit andvegetables of good quality. The presence of mineral particles over leaves and fruitsurfaces interferes with physiological processes, mainly with heat and radiationbalance and gas exchange.Therefore, it was hypothesized that the Pft could contribute to increasing the salttolerance. In consideration that the tomato, species moderately sensitive to salinity,is a major vegetable crops present in the areas of Apulia at risk of salinity, to verifythe hypotheses, was investigated the effects of Pft on yield and quality, and wateruse efficiency of field grown tomato.The research was carried out in three years on tomato for processing, irrigated withbrackish water, in Southern Italy. Treatments were i) three salinity levels of irrigationwater (Electrical Conductivity of water = 0.5, 5, and 10 dS m-1), ii) tomato plantstreated or not with kaolin, and iii) two cultivars in each year, arranged in a split plotdesign with three replications.The salinity increase caused the reduction in yield mainly for declining fruit weight,but the fruit quality was better in terms of dry matter content and total soluble solids. In addition, salinity increased the blossom-end rot mainly on cultivar with elongated fruits.Pft, overall, as average of three years, improved total (12.7%) and marketable yield (17.7%), fruit weight (8.1%) and harvest index (10.3%), and reduced fruit sunburn by 76.4%. In addition, kaolin contributed to the declining in insect attack to the fruit (58.7%), improvement in total solid soluble (6.2%) and redness (10.2% the skin and 16.6% the pulp) of fruits, and increased yield water use efficiency (Y_WUE

Autore Pugliese

• Boari Francesca , Montesano Francesco Fabiano , Cantore Vito

Tutti gli autori

• F. Boari; M.I. Schiattone; V. Cantore; F.F. Montesano

Titolo volume/Rivista

Non Disponibile

Anno di pubblicazione

2015

ISSN

Non Disponibile

ISBN

2-85352-549-X

Numero di citazioni Wos

Nessuna citazione

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

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Numero di citazioni Scopus

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Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

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Settori ERC

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Codici ASJC

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