Zucchini growth, yield, and fruit quality in response to sodium chloride stress

Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L. cv. Moschata) plants were grown in a pot experi ment under greenhouse conditions at Almeria (Southeastern Spain) in 1994 an d 1995. Sodium chloride (NaCl) added to the irrigation water at 0 (control) , 0.25, 0.50, and 1.0 g L-1 and complemented with a fertilizer solution. Yi eld was determined on number and weight (kg) of fruit per plant. The hidric content (%W) per fruit was calculated using fruit fresh and dry weights. F ruit diameter, fruit length, and fruit firmness were also measured. Electri cal conductivity, soluble solids concentration, titratable acidity, and pH as well as non-structural carbohydrates concentration were determined. Zucc hini yield, quality, and quantity increased as NaCl concentration was incre ased to 1 g L-1. This cultivar appears to suitable to be grown in coastal l ocations where soil and irrigation water contain salt concentration that li mit the growth of other crops less tolerant to salinity.