The objective of this work was to evaluate the viability of the use of saline water for irrigating coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) cv. Anão Verde in a 3.5 years-old plantation, at the initial phase of production. A completely randomized block design, consisting of four levels of water salinity (electrical conductivity - ECw = 0.1, 5.0, 10.0 and 15.0 dS m-1 at 25ºC), was adopted with five replications. Female flowers in inflorescence showed a tendency to enhance when salt was added to irrigation water. The use of saline waters with ECw>5.0 dS m-1 caused significant reductions in mean weight and number of fruits compared to control (ECw = 0.1 dS m-1) starting, respectively, at 11th and 14th harvest of fruits. Plants irrigated with saline waters of ECw up to 10.0 dS m-1 present acceptable mean yield for the studied crop stage.
Cocos nucifera; salt tolerance; water quality
