Abstract

The study was aimed at finding out the performance of growth and yield of two cultivars (Threa and Barcelone) of eggplant grown under four salinity stress levels of electrical conductivities (control, 4, 8 and 12 Ec (dS/m), which were considered treatments of stress, under greenhouse conditions. Tap water as a control management was exploited, altogether managements were given to the plants at the first day of removing and continued during the whole growing season. Our results demonstrated that salt irrigation had an unfavourable effect on plant growth and yield. Also it was observed that the effect of increasing irrigation water salinity lowered in most of the traits. The study also indicated that Threa was sensitive to salt stress. Phenotypic data of plant height, leaf number, branches number, leaf area, shoot dry weight, average of fruit number, average of fruit weight and total fruit harvest showed high decrease under 8 and 12 Ec (dS/m) under salt stress. The highest level in proline (mcg/g) and root dry weight (g) under increasing irrigation water salinity recorded the highest rate (7.81 and 141.89, respectively), with Threa variety under salinity stress level 12 Ec (dS/m).