2010-11 Deliverables
Task 7 Research
Principal Investigator(s): Genhua Niu
We mutually agree for Genhua Niu to deliver the following during the period of July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011 using funds from the Rio Grande Basin Initiative:
- Evaluate seed germination and seedling emergence of selected chile cultivars under a range of salinity levels. Seedling establishment is important for achieving high yield. The threshold of salinity for seed germination and seedling emergence may be different. Chile peppers are economically important crops in southern regions in the United States, especially in El Paso and southern New Mexico region. Limited information is available on irrigation management with saline water or with salt-affected soils. This study will screen the relative salt tolerance of selected important commercial varieties of chile pepper at different growth stages (see below). Results from this study will help growers selected salt tolerance varieties.
- Evaluate salt tolerance for selected chile cultivars at seedling growth (vegetative growth). Seedlings with 2 to 4 true leaves will be grown under various levels of salinity treatments. The threshold of salinity for maintaining acceptable growth before reproductive stage will be determined.
- Yield response to salinity for selected cultivars. Based on the above two studies, several cultivars that are relatively tolerant and sensitive to salinity stress will be selected for this study.
- Present research results at regional and national professional conferences. Prepare manuscripts of the above research results and submit for publications.