Hydroponic coriander grown under nutritional solutions prepared with brackish water of different cation prevalence

ABSTRACT The use of brackish water for preparation of nutrient solutions has several impacts on crop performance, depending on the water concentration and cation prevalence. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate production and water relations of coriander grown on nutrient solutions prepared with brackish waters with different cationic natures under hydroponic conditions. A randomized block experimental design with four replicates was used, in a 4 × 3 factorial arrangement. The treatments consisted of four electrical conductivities of the nutrient solution (1.6, 3.2, 4.8, and 6.4 dS m-1) which were prepared in waters with different salts (NaCl, CaCl2.2H2O, and MgCl2.6H2O). Salinity negatively affected the production and water relations of coriander grown in hydroponic system; plants grown on nutritive solutions with predominance of Na+ had higher total dry weight and shoot dry weights, as well as higher stomatal conductance. The largest leaf area was found when using the nutrient solution with predominance of Mg2+.