EFFECTS OF SALINIZATION CAUSED BY CALCIUM CHLORIDE, SODIUM CHLORIDE AND POTASSIUM CHLORIDE ON THE INITIAL GROWTH OF LETTUCE (Lactuca sativum).

Abstract

: The excess of salts in the soil is a form of plant stress and can occur naturally in semi-arid, arid, and coastal regions or be caused by human activity, such as the excessive use of chemical fertilizers. The objective of this work was to test the effects of the addition of three mineral salts: calcium chloride (CaCl2), sodium chloride (NaCl) and potassium chloride (KCl), on the initial growth of lettuce. Exploratory research was carried out in which lettuce seeds were germinated in Petri dishes in the presence and absence of CaCl2, NaCl and KCl salts at water potentials of -0.15MPa; -0.3MPa and -0.6PMPa and placed in a germination chamber for seven days. The experimental design used was completely randomized (DIC) with nine treatments and three replications. The quantified variables were germination percentage, germination speed index, root length, fresh biomass, cell viability test and analysis of chlorophyll contents. The results obtained showed that the tested mineral salts reduced the germination and initial growth of lettuce. NaCl was the salt that most affected the initial growth of the vegetable and caused cell death in the roots.