Effects of saline irrigation management on growth of a Euonymus hedge in Mediterranean urban spaces

© ISHS. Selecting salt-tolerant crops is vital under salinity, but salt tolerance must also be considered in the light of irrigation management. The aim of this study was to assess how the saline irrigation volume affects both the growth of Euonymus japonicus 'Marieke' plants forming a hedge and soil moisture and salinity. Irrigation was controlled with Hydra Probe II placed at 15 and 30 cm depth. The treatments were: i) irrigation with fresh water and irrigation volume based on the recharge of the 100% of consumed water (control); ii) saline irrigation (3 dS m-1) and irrigation volume as in control (S100); iii) saline irrigation and 75% of the control (S75); iv) saline irrigation and 125% of the control (S125). The VWC in the control at 15 cm depth was 27.41%, which was increased by S100 and was reduced by S75. At 30 cm depth, the highest VWC was in S125. This treatment reduced pore water EC (ECpw) at 15 cm depth compared with the rest of the saline treatments, while at 30 cm depth S125 produced a value of ECpw close to that of control (3.32 dS m-1). The S100 reduced the aerial volume and plant height, while S75 led to plants with the lowest growth. The S125 slowed down the decreasing growth caused by S75. Saline treatments promoted the presence of t roots. S125 increased total root length, being roots 0.5-2 mm diameter the most promoted. So, saline water can be used successfully for the irrigation of urban green spaces using soil moisture and EC sensors, which help to improve water use efficiency and to maintain growth.