Growth and physiological aspects of arugula subjected to soil salinity and fertilizer doses

Abstract

ABSTRACT Arugula is a vegetable with considerable prominence in the commercial sector, so knowing the ideal dose of fertigation and the effects of soil salinity on its agronomic characteristics is essential for good production. The aim of the study was to evaluate the morphological and physiological aspects of arugula, cultivar Broadleaf, at different levels of soil salinity and doses of fertilization via fertigation. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse during two consecutive growing cycles, from May to June and from July to August 2021. The experimental design used was randomized blocks, arranged in a 4 x 3 factorial scheme, with four replicates. Treatments consisted of four levels of electrical conductivity of the saturated extract (ECse = 0.57, 1.3, 2.3, and 3.3 dS m-1) and three doses of fertilization via fertigation (F1= 100%, F2= 50%, and F3= 25% of the recommended NPK doses). The variables analyzed were: plant height (cm), number of leaves, leaf area (m2 plant-1), shoot fresh mass and shoot dry mass (g plant-1), leaf water percentage, SPAD, and gas exchange (photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance, and internal CO2 concentration). There was a reduction in arugula growth in soil with ECse above 2.1 dS m-1. Fertigation using the full dose of fertilizer recommended for arugula cultivation proved to be an effective strategy for increasing both biomass production and physiological activity.