Growing tomato in salty soil: Screening

Pot experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of saline irrigations on five varieties of tomato (4, 22, 38, 46 & 54). Plants were irrigated with diluted seawater adjusted to three levels of electrical conductivity; freshwater (control), 3, and 6 dS m^-1. The results of the experiment showed that saline waters remarkably affected the evapotranspiration rate, soil moisture, salts accumulation and plant biomass production. Saline irrigation had the ability to keep much water in the soil with higher value of salt content. Low salinity treatment exhibited highest plant growth and lowest soil moisture and salts deposition. Varieties number 38 and 46 gave the highest values for fruits number and weight. Whereas, variety number 22 got the lowest values. However, variety number 4 was the tallest and had the highest value for green matter even under high salinity treatment. Overall, under saline condition it was observed that all plant parameters of different varieties were reduced compared to the control except for the number of fruits of some varieties such as 38, 46 and 54. However fruit fresh weight for variety number 38 was enhanced by saline irrigation which could be a good sign for salt tolerance in saline conditions.