Possibility of forage production of Salicornia persica Akhani under irrigation and potassium sulfate treatments in farm condition, Bushehr province

Halophytes are one of the essential parts of haloculture that do not compete for the occupation of lands and freshwater resources. Salicornia persica Akhani grows naturally in the southern coastal and desert areas of Iran. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of two irrigation water quality treatments (seawater and shrimp farm waste-water with electrical conductivity of 64.5 and 66.4 dS m-1 m, respectively) and potassium sulfate fertilizer treatment (with three levels of 0, 100 and 200 kg ha-1) on the amount of forage produced (yield) and height of this plant was investigated in factorial experiment based on randomized complete blocks. The results showed that the yield of Salicornia dry forage under irrigation with seawater and shrimp field waste-water irrigation was 1136.92 and 740.8 kg ha-1, respectively, with significant differences. Investigation of the interaction effects of irrigation treatment (two levels) and potassium sulfate fertilizer (three levels) showed that the highest forage production yield was related to the treatment of 100 kg ha-1 of potassium sulfate fertilizer irrigated with seawater at the rate of 1538.8 kg ha-1 of dry forage .There was no significant difference between plant height related to irrigation treatments and potassium fertilizer application. The results showed that the production of Salicornia under irrigation treatments with seawater and shrimp farm waste-water is possible and consumption of 100 kg ha-1 of potassium sulfate increases yield. Further research was proposed to improve the production potential of this saline plant through agricultural operations and selection of superior germplasms using seawater and shrimp farm waste-water.