EFFECT OF EDAPHIC CONDITIONS AND SALINE OF IRRIGATION WATER ON THE EMERGENCE AND INITIAL DEVELOPMENT OF Salicornia bigelovii CULTIVATION: A PERSPECTIVE FOR AGRICULTURE IN COASTAL AREAS

<p><strong>Background. </strong>The desalination process is key to addressing water scarcity; however, it faces challenges such as the environmental impact of brine. Several strategies minimize this impact, including the use of halophytes. <em>Salicornia bigelovii</em> is a halophyte with multiple benefits. The phenological stages of germination and seedling are the most susceptible for establishment. In arid areas, agriculture depends on salinity-resistant plants to mitigate problems of soil degradation and water scarcity. <strong>Objective. </strong>To evaluate the impact of edaphic conditions and irrigation salt concentrations on the emergence and initial development of <em>Salicornia bigelovii</em><strong>. Methodology.</strong> Part 1. Sowing was carried out in germination trays with three types of substrate and irrigated with fresh water for 50 days. Part 2. Sowing was carried out in peat moss substrate, four saline irrigation water treatments were applied: 0 M, 0.05 M, 0.10 M and 0.15 M. The variables evaluated were the percentage of emergence, plant height, root length, number of root hairs, fresh weight and plant dry weight. <strong>Results. </strong>The emergence percentage was affected by the physicochemical characteristics of the substrates and the salts present in the irrigation water, with no emergence observed at higher saline concentrations. In the morphometric parameters, it was observed that as the saline concentration in the irrigation water increased, there was a decrease and even complete inhibition of emergence at concentrations of 0.10 M and 0.15 M. <strong>Implications.</strong> By identifying the appropriate substrate for the cultivation of salicornia, it will be possible to select areas with greater potential for cultivation and, in addition, the sustainable use of brine as irrigation water will be promoted. <strong>Conclusion</strong>. Substrates with high salinity values and high saline concentrations in the irrigation water show a decrease in crop emergence and in the morphometric variables evaluated, demonstrating the adverse effect of increased salinity and therefore certainty in the establishment of a Salicornia-based crop.</p>