Abstract

The experiment was a 5 × 5 factorial composed of 5 fertilizer levels and 5 salinity levels applied to Spathiphyllum ‘Petite’. Fertilizer levels were 0, 125, 250, 375 and 500 mg/l (ppm) N from a 24N-3.4P-13.3K (24-8-16) soluble fertilizer. Salinity levels were 0, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 mg/l (ppm) from NaCl:CaCl₂ in a 1:1 equivalent ratio. Maximum growth was observed at 250 mg/l N and no salts. At the highest salinity level tested (2000 mg/l), maximum growth was observed at 125 mg/l N. Generally, as salinity level increased the measured growth parameters decreased. Leaf calcium, sodium, and chloride increased with increasing levels of salinity in the irrigation water. Leaf nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium generally increased with increasing levels of fertilizer, but were not affected by salinity levels. It is possible that high sodium and chloride concentration in leaves produced an ion toxicity.