Saline irrigation water indices affect morphophysiological characteristics of collard

ABSTRACT Collard is a vegetable widely consumed in Brazil. However, the quality and production of this vegetable depend on the supply and quality of water. Water stress and saline stress can make it impossible to grow. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of morphophysiological characteristics of collard cv. Georgia under irrigation levels and saline indices after the first defoliation.The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, under random blocks design, and the treatments consisted of combinations of five water electrical conductivities (CEi in dS m-1: C1 =0.80; C2 =1.30; C3 = 1.80; C4 = 2.30; C5 = 2.80) and four irrigation levels based on the vase capacity (PwC: L1 = 55%; L2 = 70%; L3 = 85%; L4 = 100%), with four replications. Plant height, stem diameter and number of leaves were directly affected by combinations of high salinity levels in irrigation water. On the other hand, the green color index had a higher negative effect caused by the treatments in the first evaluation. For fresh and dry matter weight, and leaf area, T16 treatment (Conductivity 2,30 dSm-1 + irrigation level 100% vase water capacity) presented the best result (206.67 g; 25.46 g; 3044 cm2, respectively), while for water use efficiency, T3 treatment (Conductivity 0,80 dSm-1 + irrigation level 85% vase water capacity) (22.95 g L-1) gave better results. The water electrical conductivities linked to irrigation levels had a direct effect on the morphophysiological characteristics of collard.