Summary
Available data concerning nutrition and fertilization effects on crops irrigated with saline water are presented and discussed. Published data on the salinity-fertility relationship are, at least to some extent, contradictory; both positive and negative effects as well as no effect of fertilization on salinity tolerance have been recorded. However, a great deal of the experimental work supports the view that standard fertilization recommendations for non-saline conditions are also suitable for saline conditions. In addition, available data indicate that the apparent salt tolerance of agricultural crops varies with soil fertility level. Consequently, crops showing exceptionally high apparent salt tolerance at a low fertility level become more sensitive when adequately fertilized, although the absolute yield may be greatly increased. On the other hand, some data seem to show a real increase in salinity tolerance under improved fertility conditions.
Important information concerning the responses of plants to salinity under various fertility levels was obtained by tissue analysis. It should be kept in mind that this information may be influenced also by the plant species and by environmental conditions.
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Contribution from The Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel. No. 1085-E, 1984 series.
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Feigin, A. Fertilization management of crops irrigated with saline water. Plant Soil 89, 285–299 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02182248
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02182248