| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4567678 | Scientia Horticulturae | 2012 | 9 Pages |
Carnation is a valuable crop for the cut flower industry and is gaining importance as potted plant. Carnation is produced through America and Europe, mainly under temperate climate. Its production in the Mediterranean area is constrained by the low quantity and quality of water supplied for irrigation. The present work aims at investigating the effect of different electrical conductivity (EC) values (1, 3, and 6 dS m−1) of irrigation water on growth, quality and mineral concentrations of potted carnation plants inoculated or not with different strains of Glomus intraradices (GiI and GiII), growing in a commercial substrate (peat). The highest mycorrhizal colonization (26%) was reached in plants inoculated with GiII and irrigated with fresh water, whereas with the increase of salinity in the irrigation water, both strains proved less successful in enhancing mycorrhizal colonization. Results show that salt tolerance in carnation is increased when roots are colonized by G. intraradices. Moreover, the ornamental value of the potted carnation (plant growth, number and size of flowers, leaves and flower color) is increased by combining the mycorrhizal inoculation with a moderate salinity (3 dS m−1) in the irrigation water. Better performance was related to a lower Cl− concentration in flower and stem tissues (improving the ornamental quality) and an increased concentration of NO3− in leaves (maintaining plant growth) and of Ca2+ in roots (maintaining cellular homeostasis and plant growth).
► AM fungi ameliorated the situation of carnation plants irrigated with saline waters. ► AM fungi reduced toxic ions in tissues of carnation plants watered with 3 dS m−1 waters. ► 3 dS m−1 waters and Glomus intraradices strains produced the best carnation plant quality. ► Mycorrhizal carnation plants can be watered with 6 dS m−1 water for a short period.
