Saline waters and nitrogen/potassium fertilization combinations on physiological aspects and production of West Indian cherry

This study evaluated the influence of combinations nitrogen and potassium doses on physiology fruit production West Indian cherry irrigated with waters different salinities in second year cultivation. The experiment was conducted municipality Pombal-PB, Brazil, plastic containers adapted as lysimeters installed field, a randomized block design, 5 x 4 factorial scheme corresponding to five levels electrical conductivity irrigation water (ECw): 0.3, 1.3, 2.3, 3.3 4.3 dS m-1, four fertilization: 70% N + 50% K2O; 100% 75% 130% K2O 160% 125% dose recommended for cherry, three replicates one plant per plot. cv. ‘Flor Branca’ grafted ‘Junco’, between 420 550 days after transplanting. Nitrogen did not mitigate deleterious effects salinity formation cherry. An increase ECw intensifies intercellular electrolyte leakage reduces potential branch, chlorophyll content leaves, CO2 assimilation rate, equatorial polar diameters well mass fruits. Fertilization plants K2O, compared other fertilization combinations, causes less promotes higher rates, fruits larger size mass.
 Keywords: Malpighia emarginata D. C, mineral fertilization, salt stress.