The effects of 4 levels of water salinity (0.1, 5.0, 10.0 and 15.0 dS m-1) obtained by addition of NaCl were studied on quality of 3.5 years old dwarf green coconut (Cocos nucífera L.). The experiment was carried out in a completly randomized block design in an initially non-saline sandy soil, using a micro sprinkler irrigation system in the municipality of Parnamirim-RN, Brazil, during the period of January 2000 to March 2001. The quality of fruit was evaluated by means of fruit weight, volume of water, ºbrix, and ionic composition of coconut water. The salinity of irrigation water reduced the mean weight and volume of fruit water but increased the ionic concentration expressed as electrical conductivity (EC) of coconut water and sugar content (ºbrix). The chloride and potassium ions were found to be present in higher proportions. After 11 months of irrigation with saline waters, the EC of saturation extract of soil, up to 0.80 m depth, increased in accordance with the salinity of irrigation water reaching values higher than 4 dS m-1 in treatments with EC of 10 and 15 dS m-1.
Cocos nucifera L; salinity; electrical conductivity; coconut water
