Comparison between two Mulberry Species for Tolerance of Salinity

Abstract

This investigation was carried out at the research farm of Horticulture Research Institute, Giza governorate. Two mulberry species (Mours nigra and Morus macroura) was treated with tap water as a control treatment and two rates of saline water (3000 and 6000 ppm). Some physical and chemical properties of the experimental soil were tested. Also, some vegetative growth and chemical composition were recorded. Results showed that, increasing salinity levels increased bulk density (BD) and hydrulic conductivity (Ksat), while total soil porosity (TP) was decreased by increasing it in both seasons for total soil porosity and in second seasons only for hydraulic conductivity. pH and EC increased by increasing salinity levels, while organic matter (OM), nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) content was decreased by increasing salinity levels. Stem length, stem diameter, leaf numbers, root length and root numbers of Mours nigra and Morus macroura was decreased by using the highest rates of salinity in both of season of study. The highest saline rates (6000 ppm) caused significant decreasing in Moisture percentage, chlorophyl A (Chl A), chlorophyl B (Chl B) and Carotin content, while Nitrogen percentage and Proline content significantly increasing in both Mullebry species in the two seasons of study. Mours nigra seedlings was more tolerances than Morus macroura in resistance of salinity.