Effects Of Zeolite And Foliar Zinc Application On Growth, Yield And Oil Quality Of Canola (Brassica Napus L.) Under Late Season Drought Stress
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Date
2014-08
Authors
Shahsavari, Nasser
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
Canola (Brassica napus L.) is one of the most important oil crops severely affected by drought. Drought stress, due to low precipitation and soil water reserve, has resulted in severe decline in crop yield in Iran. The decline in yield is aggravated by zinc deficiency in the soil and the lack of drought stress tolerant cultivars. In Iran, soil alkalinity caused widespread zinc deficiencies which severely affect canola planted under adequate fertilizer regime. This study was conducted between 2010 to 2012 growing seasons to investigate the effect of zeolite and foliar zinc application on growth, yield and yield components of three (3) canola cultivars at two (2) irrigation regimes. Factorial split plot experiment was performed on the basis of the randomized complete block design with three replications in the Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Karaj, Iran. The treatments were: 1) irrigation (I): complete (normal irrigation) (I1), and restricted irrigation (I2) applied at the pod formation stage, 2) zeolite (Z): 0 (Z1), and 15 t ha-1 (Z2), and 3) Zn: zinc sulphate concentrations of 0%, 0.1%, and 0.2 % (Zn1, Zn2, and Zn3) on Opera, Licord, and RGS003 cultivars. The results showed that the simple effects of treatments were highly significant for all characteristics at P < 0.01. Normal irrigation, application of zeolite, and zinc had a positive effect on the palmitic, stearic, behenic, linoleic acids, oil content, and oil yield. The combined application of zeolite and zinc decreased the proline and carbohydrate content. Highest measurement on morphological traits, yield and yield components, biochemical characteristics, relative water content, linoleic acid, oil content and oil yield were obtained by applying Z2Zn2 (15 t ha-1 zeolite and 0.1% zinc sulphate) in both irrigation regimes. Opera cultivar in normal irrigation and RGS003 cultivar in stress conditions had the highest yield and yield components, oil yield, oil content, linoleic acid, relative water content, stomatal resistance and canopy temperature. Iran needs more than one solution to improve oil yield of canola planted during late season drought stress. Therefore, based on the low cost of natural zeolite and moderate dose application of zinc, these treatments are recommended to enhance the growth of canola in regions prone to drought stress. Other economical plants of Iran such as wheat, saffron and pistachio are expected to benefit from the findings from this study.
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Keywords
Effects of zeolite and foliar zinc , application on growth