The experiments were conducted during two seasons of 200212003 and
200312004 at the Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture Research Garden. at El-
Shatby to study the effect of salinity on the growth of two new ornamental plants is.
Encalia farinosa and Oenothera missoun‘ensis. The seedlings of each plant were
transplanted to 30 cm. pots containing either sandy soil or a mixture of lclay :1 sand
{by volume), The pots were irrigated with tap water to: one month then with different
levels of (2NaCl: lCaCl2) at 0, 2, 4, 5 and 8 gl'L for five months Date on plant growth
parameters were collected including plant heightlfor Enceii'a fanhosa) or plant
diameter (for Oenothera missoun‘ensis) , number of branches, leaf area ,dry weights
of the shoots and roots. N, P, K, Na, Cl, chlorophyll and protine contents in the
leaves. Results show that salinity significantly decreased general plant growth All salt
concentrations caused a significant decrease in plant height or plant diameter, shoots
and roots dry weights as compared to the control in Encelia farinosa and Oenothera
missourr‘ensis in both soil types for the two seasons. The number of branches and the
leaf area were not significantly affected by salinity in both seasons, however, the type
of soil affected the leaf expansion. The lowest expansion of leaves was recorded with
sandy soil as compared to clay soil .There were reductions in N "/o. P % and K %
contents in the leaves of Encelr'a farinosa and Oenothera mi'ssoudensis with
increasing the salinity level espeCially in sandy soil for both seasons, Generally, the
highest Na % in the leaves of Encelfa farinosa and Oenotnera missourr'ensr's was
recorded at the highest concentration of salt in clay soil followed by the highest
concentration of salt in sandy soil in both seasons Cl % increased gradually with
increasing salt concentrations but the differences were not significant. The leaves
chlorophyll content was studied in the second season only, the salt treatments had no
effect on chlorophyll content in both types of soil. Salt treatments significantly
increased the proline content in the leaves of Encalia fan‘nosa and Oenothara
missourr‘ensrs in both soil types for the two seasons. The highest proline content was
recorded in the leaves of Encei'ia farinosa in sandy soil at the highest salt
concentration. It is concluded that these two plants can be grown successfully with
moderately saline irrigation water Further investigation using sea-water for irrigation
may confirm that these two potential new ornamental crops, Enceli'a farinosa and
Oenothera mi'ssouriensr's can be grown in the North-West ,Coastai region of
Alexandria where irrigation water is a problem.