It is known that the physiological behavior of the plants under saline stress conditions vary among genotypes. Considering non existence of references about effect of salinity in West Indian Cherry plants, the objective of this study was to evaluate such effects on the growth and physiology of the clone BV1 rootstock. The studies were carried out at the Experimental Center of Pacajus (EMBRAPA), in the city of Pacajus - CE. The treatments studied were six levels of salinity of the irrigation water (electrical conductivity varying from 0.5 to 5.5 dS m-1). The results obtained show that the efficiency of the West Indian Cherry to produce new matter in relation to preexisting increases with the elevation of salinity. The root system of the West Indian Cherry is more affected than the aerial parts by water salinity. The growth velocity and the net photosynthesis assimilation rate of the West Indian Cherry were found to reduce with increase in irrigation water salinity.
Malpighia emaginata; development; salinity
