Evaluation of Some Okra and Molokhia Landraces under Irrigation Water Salinity Stress

Aims: Evaluate eight landraces of okra and five landraces of molokhia, collected from different region of Egypt, under different levels of irrigation water salinity.

Study Design: The experimental design used was a split-plot in a randomized complete blocks design with three replicates, where the four irrigation water salinity concentrations were arranged in the main plots, whereas, landraces of okra or molokhia were arranged in the sub plots.

Place and Duration of Study: This investigation was carried out during the two successive summer seasons of 2021 and 2022 at Soil Salinity Laboratory Research, Alexandria Governorate, Agricultural Research Center.

Methodology: Four levels of saline irrigation water were applied having EC of 625 (tap water as a control), 2000, 4000 and 6000 ppm which was applied as necessary according to soil field capacity (27.85%).

Results: Generally, all the studied traits, of okra and molokhia, decreased as the salinity level increased except for the spines of edible pods which was in contrast, in both seasons. There were significant differences among the studied eight landraces of okra and the studied five landraces of molokhia for all the studied traits in both seasons. Edible pods yield/plant of Behera landrace was not significantly affect by irrigation at salinity levels up to 2000 ppm of salinity level in 2022 season. Moreover, Alexandria and Gharbya landraces were the least affected by increasing salinity levels comparing with the rest of landraces in both seasons. With respect to molokhia, Fresh leafy yield/plot of Alexandria landrace was not significantly affected by irrigation at salinity levels up to 2000 ppm of salinity level in the first seasons.

Conclusion: It can be recommended to cultivate Behera, Alexandria and Gharbya landraces of okra and Alexandria and Kafr Elsheikh landraces of molokhia when irrigation with relatively high levels of salinity, as these landraces were relatively less affected by increasing salinity concentration. These landraces can also be introduced into breeding programs to improve them or develop new varieties that are more salt-tolerant.