Effects of application timing of saline irrigation water on broccoli production and quality

摘要: Abstract Irrigation with moderately saline water is a necessity in many semi-arid areas of the Mediterranean Basin, and requires adequate irrigation management strategies. Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica), crop sensitive to salinity stress, was used evaluate effects application (S) non-saline (NS) during two growth phases terms plant growth, status, floret yield, glucosinolate profile, quality. Use S-water (4 dS m−1) from transplanting appearance inflorescence, alternated NS-water (2 dS m−1) inflorescence harvest vice versa were compared continuous use S- or NS-water. first growth-phase decreased leaf osmotic potential, net CO2 assimilation rate, favoured Na+ Cl− accumulation at toxic levels causing ion imbalances reducing broccoli growth. Application exclusively after caused 22.2% decrease head dry biomass NS-NS plants. Regardless timing, yield mean fresh weight plants by 20% 24%, respectively. one both stages improved matter soluble solid content, while had no impact on total concentration. However, resulted an increase indolic glucosinolates (glucobrassicin neoglucobrassicin) potential nutritional properties flavour.