Evaluation of productivity and qualitative characteristics of sea fennel or rock samphire (Crithmum maritimum L.) grown in pot experiments in a greenhouse, irrigated with different salinity water and application of biostimulants.

Abstract

Sea fennel (Crithmum maritimum L.), also known as rock samphire, is a resilient halophyte with significant potential in culinary, food, agro, medicinal, and cosmetic industries. This study investigates the impact of diverse salinity levels in irrigation water and the application of biostimulants on the productivity and qualitative attributes of sea fennel, with a particular focus on biomass yield and essential oil yield and content. Understanding these factors is crucial for optimizing sea fennel cultivation in a changing agricultural landscape, where salinity stress is increasingly common. Given its ecological adaptation to coastal environments, understanding its responses to salinity stress and biostimulant treatments is vital for optimizing its cultivation in diverse settings. The experimental design involved three different high salinity treatments (EC<1dS/m;freshwater, EC 10dS/m and 20dS/m) and two biostimulant products, used either via root or foliar applications. The essential oil yields were compared between treatments. Additionally, content and composition of sea fennel were analyzed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry. In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of intergrated management of salinity and other factors such as biostimulants in sea fennel cultivation, to achieve an optimal condition for balanced growth, biomass yield, and essential oil content, depending on the purpose of the final product. The influence of biostimulants on sea fennel's response to salinity stress underscores the need for tailored agricultural practices. These findings contribute to a comprehensive understanding of sea fennels potential for cultivation, emphasizing its value as a resilient crop with promising applications in various industries.