The Calcium has been used to increase salt tolerance in plants since salinity restricts growth and productivity in many crops. This study was conducted with the objective of evaluating the effects of sodium and calcium application on the initial growth, gaseous exchange and osmotic potential of banana (Musa spp.) 'Prata' plants (AAB). The experimental layout was a 4 x 4 factorial with three replicates in a randomized complete block design. The factors tested were concentrations of sodium (0; 5; 10; 15 mmol L-1) and calcium (2; 4; 8; 12 mmol L-1). The total emition of leaves and the osmotic potential of the plants were not influenced by the treatments. However, the increase in concentrations of sodium in the nutritive solution resulted in significant reduction of the fresh weight of aerial plant parts, height and leaf area of the plants, diameter of the pseudostem, and dry weight of the plants. The presence of 5 mmol L¹ of sodium in the solution favoured the gaseous exchanges. The increase in concentrations of calcium in solution promoted a reduction of fresh weight of aerial plant portion, height and leaf area for the banana 'Prata'.
Salinity; net photosynthesis; leaf area
