%0 Journal Article 
%A Valdés Illán, Raquel
%A Miralles, J.R.
%A Ochoa Rego, Jesús
%A Sánchez Blanco, María Jesús
%A Bañón Arias, Sebastián del Pilar
%T Saline reclaimed wastewater can be used to produce potted weeping fig (Ficus benjamina L.) with minimal effects on plant quality
%D 2012
%@ 1695-971X
%U http://hdl.handle.net/10317/5035
%X The objective of the present study was to investigate the limitations of irrigation with saline reclaimed wastewater
(RW) for producing potted weeping fig (Ficus benjamina L.). Furthermore, two different levels of leaching were studied
to ascertain whether either reduces the negative effects of RW. Three irrigation treatments were applied: a) well
water (control), b) RW (5 dS m–1) with a constant leaching fraction of 23% (RWL), and c) RW (5 dS m–1) with a constant
leaching fraction of 15% and 50% flushing every nine irrigation events (RWF). After five months of exposure to
the RW, plant size, leaf area, specific leaf area, plant DW, stem diameter and shoot/root ratio were reduced, but both
compactness and the appearance of the plants remained high. RWF reduced leaf area, plant dry weight, stem diameter,
leaf lightness, leaf chroma and leaf SPAD compared with the RWL. Water consumption per pot was higher in control
(50.58 L), followed by RWL (24.29 L) and RWF (19.6 L). Photosynthesis and stomatal conductance were 50% lower
in RWL plants than in the control, while the RWF plants had the lowest rates. RWF caused damages in the photochemical
apparatus. This study confirms that: a) weeping fig is a good candidate for being grown with saline RW
without compromising its aesthetic value; b) RW may be regarded as a good alternative to the retardants used in this
plant; and c) the recommended irrigation would be RWL.
%K Producción Vegetal
%K Irrigation
%K Riego
%K Ornamental plant
%K Planta ornamental
%K Pot plant
%K Planta de maceta
%K Salinity
%K Salinidad
%~ GOEDOC, SUB GOETTINGEN