SALINITY EFFECTS ON GERMINATION AND YIELD OF PURSLANE (PORTULACA OLERACEA L.) IN A HYDROPONIC FLOATING SYSTEM

The floating system is an easy and profitable growing technique for the cultivation of small-sized vegetable crops.
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is a spontaneous wild grass particularly diffused in the Mediterranean basin area that contain high levels of a number of nutritionally important compounds, namely vitamins, and α-linolenic acid.
In this research, the effects of salinity (0, 2.5; 5; 7.5; 10; 12.5, 15, 17.5 and 20 dS m^-1) on germination, growth and yield of purslane cultivated in a floating system by means of exposure to different NaCl concentrations (2.5; 5; 7.5; 10, 12.5 and 15 dS m^-1) in the nutrient solution were studied.
Results indicated that seeds can germinate at very high salt conditions.
Higher germination percentages were obtained between the salinity levels of 2.5 dS m^-1 (59%) and 15 dS m^-1 (48.5%).
The growing cycle was carried out in the greenhouse in April-May 2003. The duration of the cultivation cycle was 50 days.
Salinity reduced both aerial and root growth.
Yield was also affected by salinity.
The maximum yield was achieved in the lowest saline treatment (3.8 kg m^-2) whereas the minimum yield was in the highest salinity concentration (2.9 kg m^-2).

VIII International Symposium on Protected Cultivation in Mild Winter Climates: Advances in Soil and Soilless Cultivation under Protected Environment

V. Cros, J.J. Martínez-Sánchez, J.A. Fernández, E. Conesa, M.J. Vicente, J.A. Franco, S. Carreño

purslane, floating system, salinity, germination

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2007.747.74