Effect of Irrigation Depths and Salinity Levels on the Growth and Production of Forage Palm Orelha de Elefante Mexicana

Although the adaptation of forage palm to the Brazilian semi-arid, it may be influenced by soil and climatic conditions of this region, irregular rainy periods, high annual evapotranspiration and soils with a low water retention capacity. These factors may reduce crop production during dry seasons, including forage. The present research aimed at analyzing the effect of irrigation with different water depths and levels of salinity on Orelha de Elefante Mexicana cultivar. The study was carried out in pots in the Federal University of Campina Grande, from September 2017 to December 2018. Experimental design was randomized blocks in a factorial scheme 4 x 4, with 4 replications. Four irrigation water depths were applied (25, 50, 75, and 100%), as a function of water retention capacity of soil and four levels of electrical conductivity: 0.60; 3.00; 5.40 and 7.80 dS m−1. Morphometric and production variables were evaluated. Plant growth was not affected by irrigation water depth and levels of salinity, except the thickness of secondary cladode. Primary cladodes showed the greatest average values (4.03 cladodes) for 376.00 mm depth. The other variables evaluated did not present significant effects under treatments. Saline water did not affect the total production of the cultivar.