Dept. of Soil Sci., College of Agric., Zanjan Univ., Zanjan, Iran.
Abstract: (8410 Views)
To study the effects of potassium (K) and drought stress on growth indices and mineral content of safflower leaf, a factorial experiment with 12 treatments and three replications was performed, using a completely randomized design, in the greenhouse of Soil Science Department, Zanjan University, Iran. The experimental treatments were a combination of four levels of K (80,130,180 and 230 mg/kg) and three levels of drought stress (irrigation at 100% FC, 60% FC and 30% FC) applied to the pots containing 5 kg soil. Results showed that drought stress reduced plant height, leaf area, dry weight of aerial parts and relative water content of leaf but increased the chlorophyll index of leaves. Drought stress also decreased concentration of zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), phosphorus (P), nitrogen (N) and calcium (Ca) in leaves but increased iron (Fe) and K content of leaves. Application of K increased all the measured growth indices. It also increased concentration of K, Fe and Cu and decreased concentration of N, P, Ca, Mn and Zn in leaves. In general, drought stress reduced dry matter production and disturbed ionic balance in safflower. But, application of K reduced the deteriorative effects of drought stress on safflower.
Type of Study:
Research |
Received: 2014/09/29 | Accepted: 2014/09/29 | Published: 2014/09/29