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Effect of Saline Water on the Growth and Chemical Composition of Beans: II. Influence of Soil Acidity¹

ABSTRACT

Two greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine the relationship between soil acidity and salinity on the growth and chemical composition of snap beans.

One experiment was carried out on a Sassafras soil limed to give three pH levels. During the growth of the crop, four 1-inch irrigations of dilute synthetic sea water having EC values of 2, 4, and 8 mmhos./cm. were applied as well as demineralized water. Growth depression with increasing salinity was greatest on the most acid soil. Increasing salinity depressed pH values and increased the availability of manganese in the soil and its uptake by the plant. Liming had the reverse effect.

The second experiment was conducted on the Portsmouth soil limed to give four levels of base saturation. Increasing salinity decreased soil pH but did not increase the availability of Fe, Al, or Mn to a level which might depress plant growth. Liming increased the yield of beans but no significant interaction between base saturation and salinity on yields was obtained. The chemical composition of the plant was more closely associated with the composition of the soil solution than the exchangeable cation composition. In some instances the interaction between salinity and base saturation treatments on plant composition was significant.

¹ Contribution from the Soil and Water Conservation Research Division, ARS, USDA, in cooperation with the Virginia Truck Exp. Sta., Norfolk, Va.

² Soil Scientists, USDA, Norfolk, Va.

Received for publication November 30, 1960. Accepted for publication March 22, 1961.