Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #198615
Title: CELOSIA ARGENTEA CAN BE PRODUCED USING SALINE WASTEWATERS

Author
item CARTER, CHRISTY - POST DOC, UC RIVERSIDE,CA
item Grieve, Catherine
item Poss, James

Submitted to: American Society of Horticulture Science Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/20/2006
Publication Date: 6/23/2006
Citation: Carter, C.T., Grieve, C.M., Poss, J.A. 2006. Celosia argentea can be produced using saline wastewaters. [Abstract]. American Society of Horticulture Science Meeting, 40(4):1084.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Salinity tolerance of two cultivars of Celosia argentea (‘ChiefRose’) and ‘ChiefGold’) was investigated using a completely randomized design with three replications. Seedlings grown in greenhouse sand tanks were exposed to six salinity levels (2.5,4,6,8,10, and 12 dS/m) and two water ionic compositions mimicking sea water and drainage waters from the Imperial and Coachella valleys. Phenotypic measurements were made when plants were harvested during flowering, and concentrations of Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Cl-, total-S, and total-P were also determined from leaf tissues. Overall, phenotypic measurements (including stem length, stem weight, stem diameter, inflorescence length, inflorescence weight, and number of leaves) tended to decrease as salinity increased, yet stem lengths were still above the minimum stem length recommended for marketability (41 cm). Significant interactions were found for salinity and water ionic composition for all mineral analyses for both cultivars. As salinity increased, Ca2+, K+, and total-P decreased as Mg2+, Na+, and Cl- increased for both cultivars. Chief Gold’ can be produced commercially in either waster composition up to 12 dS/m. ‘Chief Rose’ can be produced up to 8 dS/m in sea water and 10 dS/m in water ionic compositions similar to those of the Imperial and Coachella valleys. Saline waters dominated by chloride and sulphate salts can be used to produce Celosia argentea commercially.