Gas exchanges and production of West Indian cherry cultivated under saline water irrigation and nitrogen fertilization

West Indian cherry is of great socioeconomic importance to Brazil because of its potential to keep local workers in rural areas and generate income. It is mainly cultivated in the Northeast region, where high salt concentrations are common in water. This study was conducted to evaluate gas exchanges and production of West Indian cherry cultivar (cv.) 'BRS 366 Jaburu', as a function of irrigation with water of different salinity levels, and nitrogen fertilization, at the post-grafting stage. The experiment was carried out in pots adapted into drainage lysimeters, under greenhouse conditions in Campina Grande, PB, Brazil. The experimental design was randomized blocks with three replicates, using a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement in which the treatments corresponded to two levels of irrigation water electrical conductivity (ECw: 0.8 and 4.5 dS m-1) and four nitrogen doses (ND: 70, 85, 100, and 115% of the recommended dose). The 100% dose corresponded to 200 g of nitrogen per plant per year. Irrigation water electrical conductivity of 4.5 dS m-1 led to alterations in the gas exchanges and production components of West Indian cherry cv. 'BRS 366 Jaburu'. An increase in intercellular CO2 concentration resulted in the occurrence of non-stomatal effects on the assimilation rate of CO2 under water salinity conditions of 4.5 dS m-1. The mean weight of West Indian cherry fruits was reduced when nitrogen doses were above 85% of the recommended level. Nitrogen doses above 70% of the recommended dose (140 g per plant) intensified the negative effects of salt stress on the total number and weight of West Indian cherry fruits.