Effects of salt applications on growth and development of ornamental cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. acephala)

This study was conducted during 2024 and 2025 to determine the effects of varying doses of salt application to the growing medium on the growth, and development of ornamental Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) plants. Different salinity doses (EC 0 mM (Control), EC 25 mM, EC 50 mM, EC 100 mM and EC 200 mM) were applied to the growth medium (70% peat + 30% perlite). Data relating to plant height (cm), head diameter (mm), root length (cm), number of leaves (number), leaf length (cm), leaf width (cm), stem wet weight (g), stem diameter (mm), stem length (cm), root dry-wet weight (g), leaf wet-dry weight (g), chlorophyll index (Spad), proportional water (%), ion flow (%), and cell membrane damage rate (%) were collected. Results revealed that increasing salt concentrations raised relative water content, ion flow, and cell membrane damage rate compared to the control. However, control treatment gave better results for other analysed traits. It was observed that there were proportional decrease in the treatments in parallel with the increase in salinity doses.