Effect of zeolite, effective microorganisms, mycorrhizae and seaweed extract on apple plants irrigated with saline water – Effect of zeolite, effective microorganisms, mycorrhizae and seaweed extract on apple plants irrigated with saline water
Koulympoudi L.1, Chatzissavvidis C.1 and Orfanoudakis M.2
1Laboratory of Pomology, Vegetable Crop Production and Floriculture, Department of Agricultural Development, Democritus University of Thrace, 68 200 Orestiada
2Laboratory of Soil Science, Department of Forestry and Management of Environment and Natural Resources, Democritus University of Thrace, 68 200 Orestiada
Summary
The problem of high salt concentrations in soil is not confined to coastal areas, but also extends to cultivated land, hindering or even preventing plant growth. The aim of this paper is to investigate the influence of zeolite, effective microorganisms (EM), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and seaweed extract on MM106 apple plants (Malus domestica) under normal and saline conditions. More specifically, the fresh matter (f. m.) weight of the plants, the permeability of leaf cell membranes, the chlorophyll concentration, the photosynthesis rate and the percentage concentration of P in the plant tissues were determined. At the end of the experiment, it was found that the plants in the treatments incorporating EM and AMF exhibited the highest fresh matter weight of the leaves under normal conditions, whilst the lowest fresh matter weight of the roots was observed in the treatment with zeolite and NaCl. At the same time, the permeability of cell membranes was less affected when EM was applied under saline conditions. Furthermore, the application of EM solution and ceramic powder to the plant foliage had a positive effect on the photosynthesis rate in the treatment comprising EM and NaCl. As regards P concentrations, the application of zeolite led to a reduction in the root P concentration of the plants under normal conditions. Overall, the application of EM contributed to increased plant tissue weight and a higher percentage concentration of P.
Key words: apple, effective microorganisms, Rhizophagus intraradices, seaweeds, salinity