| Abstract: | The efficiency of calcium in enhancing the tolerance of beans(Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to sodium salinization was studied inpot experiments in both cool and hot seasons. In the cool seasonincreased yields of dry matter, roots, nodules and pods werepositively correlated with increased Ca application and negativelycorrelated with the Na contents of irrigation water and planttissue. The Na levels both in roots and tops declined significantlyas increased amounts of calcium were added. Ca in the rangeof 2.0 to 8.0 mmol/1 caused competitive inhibition of Na uptakeand Na translocation. At Ca levels between 0 to 2.0 mM onlyNa translocation to tops was markedly inhibited. In warm seasonsCa had no beneficial effects on bean yields at any level ofNa. On the contrary, high rates of Ca application resulted ina higher death rate. |
