Effect of Saline Irrigation Water on The Landscaping Potentials of Pelargonium zonale, L. Plant.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Floriculture, ornamental horticulture and landscape gardening dept. Fac. of Agric. -Elshatby -Alex. Univ. Egypt.

2 Soil and water sciences dept. Fac. of Agric. - Elshatby -Alex. Univ. Egypt.

Abstract

The present work was carried out at the Flower and Ornamental Plants Research Gardens, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, Egypt during the years 2009,2010 and 2011. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of saline water irrigation on the parameters that affect the landscaping potentials of a local variety of Pelargonium zonale, L. (Red) plants and also surveying the common landscaping uses of it in the green areas in Alexandria city. Different saline water treatments (1,2,4,6,8,10 and 12 ds/m) were applied to Pelargonium zonale, L. plants besides the control treatment. Generally, increasing saline water level significantly decreased all the vegetative growth parameters (plant height, plant diameter, stem diameter, number of main branches/plant and number of leaves/plant) , compared with the control treatment.  Also, saline water treatments resulted in significant reductions in the aesthetic and landscape uses of the plants (growth shape, plant condition, number of inflorescences /plant and flower intensity and quality), besides they delayed the flowering time. Pelargonium zonale, L. plant showed tolerance to saline water level till 6 ds/m. Severe damage occurred to plants starting from September when they irrigated by the high saline concentrations i.e. 8, 10 and 12 ds/m. Surveying the landscaping uses of the plant in the green areas showed a wide range of various uses i.e; in low or raised beds, around trees trunks, in borders, on side of paths and walkways and in containers…etc. It can be generally recommended that Pelargonium zonale, L. plants can tolerate saline irrigation water treatments up to 6ds/m and still having good landscaping potentials and values. 

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