HIGHLIGHTS
Salt water reduces gas exchange in the okra crop, but organomineral fertilization mitigates these effects.
The use of organic and mineral fertilization is viable in okra crops under salt stress.
Organic fertilizer (100% bovine biofertilizer) decreases internal CO2 concentration.
Key words:
Abelmoschus esculentus; physiology; plant nutrition
ABSTRACT
Proper management of brackish water can increase plant production in the Brazilian semiarid region. Organomineral fertilization contributes to minimizing the harmful effects of salinity. As such, the present study aimed to assess the physiological indices of okra crops grown under organomineral fertilization and irrigated with salt water. A completely randomized design was used, in a 6 × 2 factorial scheme with six repetitions, corresponding to six types of fertilization: T1 - mineral fertilization with NPK; T2 - bovine biofertilizer; T3 - fertilization with plant ash; T4 - mineral fertilizer (50%) + bovine biofertilizer (50%); T5 - mineral fertilizer (50%) + plant ash (50%); T6 - control; and two electrical conductivities of the irrigation water (0.5 and 5.0 dS m-1). The physiological indices of okra plants were analyzed 30 and 60 days after transplanting (DAT). Although salt stress negatively affects the physiological indices of okra, organomineral fertilization partially mitigates these effects. Thus, organic and mineral fertilizers are recommended in okra crops under saline conditions.
Key words:
Abelmoschus esculentus; physiology; plant nutrition