*Article* **The E**ff**ect of Salinity on the Growth of Lavender Species**

#### **Angeliki T. Paraskevopoulou 1,\*, Anna Kontodaimon Karantzi <sup>1</sup> , Georgios Liakopoulos <sup>2</sup> , Paraskevi A. Londra <sup>3</sup> and Konstantinos Bertsouklis <sup>1</sup>**


Received: 10 February 2020; Accepted: 23 February 2020; Published: 25 February 2020

**Abstract:** Long term degradation of water quality from natural resources has led to the use of alternative water resources for irrigation that are saline. Saline water irrigation in floriculture for the production of nursery crops requires an understanding of plant response. The pot growth of four lavender species (*Lavandula angustifolia*, *Lavandula dentata* var. *dentata*, *Lavandula dentata* var*. candicans* and *Lavandula stoechas*) irrigated with water containing different concentrations of NaCl (0, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mM) was investigated under greenhouse conditions. Overall results of different plant growth variables were consistent, showing a significant decrease at 100 and 200 mM NaCl. All lavender species showed signs of salinity stress that included chlorosis, followed by leaf and stem necrosis at NaCl concentrations greater than 50 mM. *L. dentata* var. *dentata* showed the greatest plant growth followed in descending order by *L. dentata* var*. candicans*, *L. stoechas* and *L. angustifolia*. Despite greater growth of *L. dentata* var. *dentata,* the appearance of *L. dentata* var*. candicans* was "healthier". In areas with saline irrigation water, *L. dentata* var. *dentata* and *L. dentata* var*. candicans* are proposed for the production of lavender nursery crops.

**Keywords:** floriculture; *Lavandula angustifolia*; *Lavandula dentata* var. *dentata*; *Lavandula dentata* var. *candicans*; *Lavandula stoechas*; saline water; irrigation; NaCl; chlorophyll fluorescence
