Biomass, Protein Content and Cell Damage in Tanzania Grass Irrigated With Saline Water

The scarcity of good water quality in semiarid region, combined with the high cost of pumping, has been the main limiting factor for increasing the irrigated area. The use of saline water for irrigation is a very common in semiarid zones, which can result in the soil salinization if irrigation management is not appropriated. To evaluate the biomass production, biochemical components and water consumption of Tanzania grass (Panicum maximum) irrigated with water salinity (1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0 dS m-1) an experiment in greenhouse was carried out in the Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil. The variables dry matter, crude protein, ashes, cellular damage on leaves and consume water in the first and second cut of the grass were analyzed under completely randomized design with five treatments and six replications. Salinity water up to 6.0 dS m-1 can be used for irrigation of Tanzania grass plants, with small yield losses. Increased salinity reduces water consumption and increases the water use efficiency of Tanzania grass. Tanzania grass plants have increased protein content when subjected to saline stress, which is a mechanism of action to osmotic adjustment and allows the reduction of plant leaf damage in the second cycle.