Effect of Salinity on the Growth of Welsh Onions (Allium fistulosum)

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate how varying concentrations of salt will affect the growth of Welsh onions (Allium fistulosum). In this experiment, using Sodium Chloride (NaCl), four different treatments (0, 50, 100, 200 millimolar (mM)) levels were made. Three onions were placed in each treatment level in different cups and were monitored for a total of two weeks. A significant decrease in the stem length of the Welsh onions was seen as the NaCl concentrations increased, this is seen as after the two week period the 0 mM treatment level stem grew to an average length of 22.8 cm whereas the 50, 100 and 200 mM grew to an average length of 16.6, 14.1 and 10.9 cm respectively. Similar trends were seen in the growth of the roots as the average length for the 0 mM treatment level was 7.8 cm whereas the average length for the 50, 100 and 200 mM was 4.7, 3.6 and 1.5 cm respectively. From this, it can be understood that as the concentration of NaCl increases, the growth of the stems and roots will be reduced. Overall, from this experiment, we can say that NaCl is a compound that, at high concentrations, inhibits and hinders the growth capabilities of Welsh onions.