Effects of saline and water stress on sweet sorghum

Abstract

Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench) is a plant that can be an alternative for the production of bioethanol in semi-arid regions. The objective of this work was to evaluate sweet sorghum 'BRS 506' under salt and water stress. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, in a factorial scheme (4x4), with the first factor referring to the electrical conductivities of the irrigation water (1.5; 3.0; 4.5; and 6.0 dS m-1) and the second refers to irrigation depths (53, 67, 85 and 95% of crop evapotranspiration). Gas exchange, leaf water status, leaf sugars and plant growth were evaluated. Salt and water stress cause negative effects on the growth of sweet sorghum 'BRS 506'. Salt stress causes disturbances in gas exchange and sugar levels. Sweet sorghum 'BRS 506' is tolerant to combined salt and water stress.

Keywords

• Sorghum bicolor; water deficit; salinity; gas exchange