Effect of Salinity and Deficit Irrigation on Quantity and Quality of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.)

Both salinity and drought stress induce water limitation for plants and will reduce growth rapidly along with metabolic changes. Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is mainly cultured in arid and semi-arid regions¡ but suitable irrigation regime and accurate water requirements are not identified. Therefore a factorial experiment with irrigation at 5 levels (well water¡ 10¡ 20¡ 30 and 40% well water) and salinity at 3 levels (1.5¡ 5 and 8 dS.m-1) based on a completely randomized design with 4 replicates was conducted on 4 year old trees in Ferdows town of Iran during 2011-2013. Total yield and other qualitative traits were measured at the end of second year. Results showed a significant decrease in total yield and some other qualitative traits from integrated deficit irrigation and salinity stress. Deficit irrigation decreased fruit yield compared to control treatment. Antioxidant activity increased in response to deficit irrigation¡ however¡ it is not considered very important regarding marketability. In addition¡ fruit yield was observed none-significant among salinity treatments. Hence it generally seems that pomegranate could be classified as a drought sensitive and salinity tolerant plant.