INFLUENCE OF NACL SALINITY ON THE VEGETAT IVE AND REPRODUCTIVE GROWTHOF EGGPLANT (SOLANUM-MELONGENA L) IN SOILLESS CULTURE

The effect of rising conductivity in the nutrient solution was investi gated on growth behaviour of eggplants (Solanum melongena L.). Conduct ances of 4.1, 6.1 and 8.1 dS m-1, respectively, were reached by addi ng 20, 40 and 60 mM NaCl to the standard solution. The development of leaf areas was inhibited by high salt concentrations (40 and 60 mM NaC l, respectively). However, a moderate salt stress by 20 mM NaCl had no effect. The root growth was not affected by either of the salt treatm ents. The number of main flowers and the main fruits were equal at con ductances up to 8.1 dS m-1, while numbers of side flowers and side f ruits increased. Salt levels of 20 mM NaCl resulted in pronounced redu ction of the single fruit weights and total yields when compared with the standard nutrient solution. The yield at 60 mM NaCl was only half of that in the control plants. Single fruit weights and total yield de creased by 8.6 and 8%, respectively, when the conductance of the nutri ent solution increased by one unit. The dry matter concentrations of t he fruits increased at high salt treatments. Accordingly the fresh wei ght of fruits was more affected by salt stress than the fruit dry weig hts.