Effect of Saline Water Irrigation on the Dry Matter Production, Nutrition Status and Essential Oil Content of Thyme Plants (Thymus vulgaris L.) Grown on a Sandy Soil

摘要

A POT experiment was carried out over two growing seasons (2000/2001 and 2001/2002) to investigate the effect of saline water irrigation on the dry matter production, nutrition status and oil content of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) plants. The experimental set-up consisted of 15 treatments (5 salinity levels x 3 levels of phosphorus). Saline water irrigation treatments were added at (0, 1500, 3000, 4500, 6000 ppm as NaCl) and phosphorus was applied at three levels (0, 50, 100 ppm as (KH_2PO_4).The obtained data revealed that the highest dry weight , N, P, K.Ca, Fe, Mn and Cu uptake were recorded at treatment tap water irrigation and 50 ppm phosphorus application .while the highest N, P, K, Zn and Cu content were recorded as a result of tap water irrigation with 100 ppm phosphorus application. On the contrary, the highest Ca content was obtained at 3000ppm NaCl with 50 ppm phosphorus application. On the other hand, the highest Fe content was recorded at treatment of 4500ppm NaCl and 50 or 100 ppm phosphorus application. Mn content was recorded at treatment of 3000ppm NaCl saline water irrigation and SOppm phosphorus application.