Effects of Drought Stress and Foliar Application of Boron and Zinc on Yield and Some Agronomic and Morphological Traits of Spring Type Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)

بوم شناسی کشاورزی

Article 6, Volume 11, Issue 4 - Serial Number 42, December 2020, Pages 1275-1291   

Document Type: Scientific - Research

DOI: 10.22067/jag.v11i4.72028

Authors

Somayeh Soheili Movahhed¹; saeid khomari^{* 1}; Parisa Sheikhzadeh¹; Bahram Alizadeh²

¹Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Mohaghegh Ardabili University, Ardabil, Iran

²Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran

Abstract

Introduction
Plants under natural and agronomic conditions are constantly exposed to different stresses. In this regard, drought stress is the most important limiting factor to crop yields in many parts of the world and Iran, particularly, if the water stress occurs during the flowering stage, it will affect the crop production. Drought stress disrupts the nutritional balance of plant. Proper nutrition under stress conditions can partly help plant against various stresses. Plants growth under stress can be improved by micro nutrients foliar application. Boron is important in the plant growth and its deficiency is one of the major constraints to crop production. Zinc plays a key role in the various biochemical processes of plant cells. Its deficiency will be apparent in various forms such as growth retardation, yield and concentration of the element in different parts of a plant such as seeds. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of boron and zinc foliar application on yield and some agronomic and morphological traits of spring safflower (cv. Mahalli-e Esfahan) under late-season water deficit in Ardabil province.
Materials and Methods
The field experiment was conducted at the Research Farm of the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran during 2013-14 and 2014-15 growing seasons. The experimental design was a split factorial in a randomized complete block with three replications. Three irrigation treatments (S1: full irrigation until the end of season (control), S2: irrigation with holding from flowering and S3: irrigation with holding from seed filling) were randomized to the main plots and the sub-plot included factorial combination of B (B1: 0, B2: 350, B3: 700 ppm) and Zn (Zn1: 0, Zn2: 1000, Zn3: 2000 ppm). B was added as boric acid (H3BO3) and Zn as zinc sulfate (ZnSO4). The treatments were applied during flowering (when 50% of the plants were at anthesis) as foliar applications. All other agricultural practices (weeds control and irrigation), were performed when they were required and as recommended for safflower production. The measured traits included seed coat percentage, seed kernel percentage, seed coat to kernel ratio, leaf number, capitol diameter, seed length, seed width and seed yield. Analyses of variance and comparison of means at P≤0.05 were carried out, using SAS 9.1 software. The means were compared using LSD test.
 Results and Discussion
Combined analysis of variance of the data showed that year, irrigation and year × irrigation interaction were significant for all the traits. Also, all traits (except leaf number) were significantly affected by B, Zn and B × Zn interaction. Seed coat percentage, seed kernel percentage and seed coat to kernel ratio were significantly affected by year×B, year × Zn and year×B×Zn interactions. Seed length and seed yield were significantly affected by year×irrigation×B and year×B×Zn interactions, respectively. During the first year, all the investigated traits influenced from deterrent impacts of drought stress. Water deficit stress at the flowering and seed filling stages significantly decreased seed yield compared to full irrigation (15.62% at flowering and 12.77% at seed filling). During the second year, there was no significant difference among all the treatments due to heavy rainfall. The results showed that B and Zn foliar application had a positive and significant effect on seed coat percentage, seed kernel percentage, seed coat to kernel ratio, capitol diameter, seed length, seed width and seed yield. The treatments of B3Zn2 and B2Zn2 had the greatest increase of these parameters in comparison with B1Zn1 (control) in both years. Boron and zinc foliar application significantly improved most traits under water stress levels.
Acknowledgments
We would like to thank from the Faculty of Agriculture, Mohaghegh Ardabili University, for supporting this study.

Keywords

Drought stress; Final yield; Micronutrients; Seed coat and kernel

References

Agnes, M.S.N., 1995. Effect of the time of B application on almond tissue, B concentration and fruit set. 92nd Annual Meeting of the American Society for Horticultural Science, 40th Annual Congress of the Canadian Society, Abstracts Contributed Papers (Oral and Poster) Colloquia Workshops for Horticultural Science 30(4): 879.

Ahmad M., and Abdel F.M., 1995. Effect of urea, some micronutrients, and growth regulators foliar spray on the yield, fruit quality and some vegetative characters of ‘Washington navel’ orange trees. 92nd Annual Meeting of the American Society for Horticultural Science, 40th Annual Congress of the Canadian Society, Abstracts Contributed Papers (Oral and Poster) Colloquia Workshops for Horticultural Science 30(4):774.

Ahmadi, J., Seyfi, M.M., and Amini, M., 2012. Effect of spraying micronutrients Fe, Zn and Ca on grain and oil yield of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) varieties. Electronic Journal of Crop Production 5 (3): 115-130. (In Persian with English Summary)

Akbari, G.A., Jabbari, H., Daneshian, J., Alahdadi, I., and Shahbazian, N., 2008. The effect of limited irrigation on seed physical characteristics in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). hybrids. Journal of Water and Soil Science 12(45): 513-523. (In Persian with English Summary)

Alahdadi, I., Oraki, H., and Parhizkar Khajani, F., 2012. Seed physical characteristics in some sunflower cultivars under water deficit stress. Journal of Agricultural Machinery Engineering 2(1): 58-66. (In Persian with English Summary)

Ali, H., Hasnain, Z., Shahzad, A.N., Sarwar, N., Qureshi, M.K., Khaliq, S., Qayyum, M.F., 2014. Nitrogen and zinc interaction improves yield and quality of submerged Basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.). Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca 42(2):372-379.

Allaf. M., and Shokoohfar, A., 2016. Interaction deficit irrigation operations and nitrogen rates on the quantitative yield and oil percentage of sunflower Sanbura cultivar (Helianthus annuus L.). Crop Physiology Journal 7(28): 61-72. (In Persian with English Summary)

Alloway, B.J., 2004. Zinc in Soils and Crop Nutrition. International Zinc Association (IZA). Belgium, 128p.

Amiri, A., Yadolahi, P., Siroosmehr, A.R., and Esmaeilzade, S., 2015. Effect of drought stress and chitosan and salicylic spray on morphological parameters of Carthamus tinctorius L. in Sistan. Journal of Oil Plants Production 2(1): 43-56. (In Persian with English Summary)

Anonymous., 2013. Safflower cultivation instructions. Ministry of Agriculture Jihad, Seed and Plant Improvement Institute. Karaj. Iran. pp 6. (In Persian)

Arab, S., Baradaran-Firoozabadi, M., Asghari, H.R., Gholami, A., and Rahimi, M., 2016. The effect of ascorbic acid and sodium nitroprusside foliar application on seed yield, oil and some agronomical traits of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) under water deficit stress. Environmental Stresses in Crop Sciences. 9(1): 15-27. (In Persian with English Summary)

Arvin, P., Vafa bakhsh, J., and Mazaheri, D., 2018. Study of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and drought on physiological traits and ultimate yield of cultivars of oilseed rape (Brassica spp. L.). Journal of Agroecology 9(4): 1208-1226. (In Persian with English Summary)

Aytac, Z., Gurmezoglu, N., Sirel, Z., Tolay, I., and Torun, A.A., 2014. The Effect of zinc on yield, yield components and micronutrient concentrations in the seeds of safflower genotypes (Carthamus tinctorius L.). Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca 42(1): 202-208.

Baldini, M., and Vannozzi. G., 1996. Crop management practice and environmental effects on hullability in sunflower hybrids. Helia 19, 47-62.

Brown, P., Bellaloui, N., Wimmer, M.A., Bassil, E.S., Ruiz, J., Hu, H., Pfeffer, H., Dannel, F., and Römheld, V., 2002. Boron in plant biology. Plant Biology 4(2): 205-223.

Brown, P.H., Cakmak, I., and Zhang, Q., 1993. Form and function of zinc plants. In: Robson. A.D., (ed.). In Zinc in Soils and Plants. Springer Netherlands 93-106.

Camacho-Cristobal, J.J., and Gonzalez-Fontes, A., 1999. Boron deficiency causes a drastic decrease in nitrate content and nitrate reductase activity, and increases the content of carbohydrates in leaves from tobacco plants. Planta 209(4): 528-536.

Dordas, C., 2006a. Foliar boron application affects lint and seed yield and improves seed quality of cotton grown on calcareous soils. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 76: 19-28.

Dordas, C., 2006b. Foliar boron application improves seed set, seed yield, and seed quality of alfalfa. Agronomy Journal 98: 907-913.

Dordas, C., Apostolides, G.E., and Goundra, O., 2007. Boron application affects seed yield and seed quality of sugar beets. Journal of Agricultural Science 145: 377-384.

Ebrahimian, E., Baybordi, A., Seyyedi, S.M., and Mohammadi Kia, R., 2015. Effects of nitrogen, zinc and water salinity levels on yield, quality indices and nutrient uptake in canola (Brassica napus L.) Okapi variety. Journal of Agroecology 7(1): 120-126. (In Persian with English Summary)

Fanaei, H.R, and Narouirad, M.R., 2014. Study of yield, yield components and tolerance to drought stress in safflower genotypes. International Journal of Crop Production 7(3): 33 -51. (In Persian with English Summary)

Fanaei, H.R., Azmal, A., and Piri, I., 2017. Effect of biological and chemical fertilizers on oil, seed yield and some agronomic traits of safflower under different irrigation regimes. Journal of Agroecology 8(4): 551-566. (In Persian with English Summary)

Farrokhinia, M., Roshdi, M., Pasbaneslam, B., Sasandoost, R., 2011. Study of some physiological traits and yield in spring safflower under water deficit stress. Iranian Journal of Field Crops Science 42(3): 545-553. (In Persian with English summary)

Fathi, F., 2011. Effect of salinity stress, salicylic acid and foliar application of zinc on growth, seed yield and oil of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). M.Sc Thesis. University of Birjand. Iran. (In Persian with English summary)

Galavi, M., Heidari, M., and Zamani, M., 2007. Effects of zinc sulphate spray on quality, yield and yield components of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.). Faculty of and magnesium and soil-applied boron. Journal of Plant Nutrrient 18(1): 179-200.

Gangardhara, G.A., Manju, H.M., and Satyanarayana, T., 1990. Effect of micronutrients on the yield and uptake by sunflower. Indian Society of Soil Science 40: 591-593.

Ghasal, P.C., Shivay, Y.S., Pooniya, V., Kumar, P., and Verma, R.K., 2016. Zinc fertilization enhances growth and quality parameters of aromatic rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties. Indian Journal of Plant Physiology 21(3): 323-332.

Ghassemi, S., Yaghoubian, I., and Moradi, M., 2016. Effects of hydro-priming Durations and Water Stress on some morphological characteristics of Safflower. Biological Forum–An International Journal 8(1): 466-470.

Gupta, R.K, and Das, S.K.,1997. Physical properties of sunflower seeds. Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research 66: 1–8.

Hajihasani Asl., N., Roshdi, M., Ghafari, M., Alizadeh, E., and Moradi Aghdam, A., 2009. Effect of drought stress and leaf defoliation on some of agronomical traits, traits, yield and yield components of oil sunflower. Agroecology Journal (Journal of New Agricultural Science) 5(15): 25-39. (In Persian with English Summary)

Heidarian, A.R., Kord, H., Mostafavi, K., and Amin-Mashhadi, F., 2011. Investigating Fe and Zn foliar application on yield and its components of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) at different growth stages. Sustainable Agriculture 28: 41-54.

Jafarzadeh Kenarsari, M., and Poostini, K.,1997. Investigation of effect drought stress in growth different stages on some morphological traits and yield components of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Iranian Journal of Agriculture Science 29(2): 353-361. (In Persian with English Summary)

Janik, J., 1984. Foliar nutrition of fruit crops in: Hort. Rew 6: 289-338.

Karimi, A.R., Behdani, M.A., Eslami, S.V., and Fathi, M.H., 2017. Yield and yield components of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) as affected by micronutrient application and vermicompost in two Kerman and Bardsir regions. Journal of Agroecology 9(2): 505-519. (In Persian with English Summary)

Karimzadeh Asl, Kh., Mazaheri, D., and Peighambari, A., 2004. Effect of four irrigation intervals on growth of three sunflower cultivars. Desert Journal 9(2): 255-266. (In Persian with English Summary)

Khan, I., Anjum, S.A., Qardi, R.W.K., Ali, M., Chattha, M.U., and Asif, M., 2015. Boosting achene yield and yield related traits of sunflower hybrids through boron application strategies. American Journal of Plant Sciences 6: 1752-1759.

Khiavi, M., Khorshidi, M.B., Ismaeili, M., Azarabadi, S., Faramarzi, A., and Emaratpardaz, J., 2011. Effect of foliar application of boron and zinc on yield and some qualitative characteristics of two rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) cultivars. Jornal of Water and Soil Science 1(3): 31-45. (In Persian with English Summary)

Lewis, D.C., and McFarlane, J.D., 1986. Effect of foliar applied manganese on the growth of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) and the diagnosis of manganese deficiency by plant tissue and seed analysis. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 37: 567-572.

Lindstrom, L.I., Pellegrini, C.N., Aguirrezabal, L.A.N., and Hernandez, L.F., 2006. Growth and development of sunflower fruits under shade during pre and early post-anthesis period. Field Crops Research 96: 151-159.

Marandi, J., Jalili, F., and Valizadegan, V., 2012. The effect of methods and sources of nitrogen and micronutrient on agronomic characteristics and yield of sunflower. Journal of Research in Agricultural Science 5(17): 71-83. (In Persian with English Summary)

Marschner, H., 1995. Functions of mineral nutrients: macronutrients. Mineral nutrition of higher plants 2nd Edition. Academic Press, New York 299-312.

Mehrpouyan., M., 2010. Study on CO2 exchange, photosynthesis and grain yield in sunflower cultivars under drought stress conditions. Journal of Crop Production Research 3(2): 197-206. (In Persian with English Summary)

Mohammadi, M., 2016. Evaluation of some physiological changes and seed quality of safflower cultivars in response to water deficit. Ph.D. Thesis. University of Tabriz. Iran. (In Persian with English summary)

Movahedi- Dehnacvi, M., and Modares-Sanavi, A.M., 2007. Effect of Zn and Mn micronutrients foliar application on yield and yield components of three winter safflower under drought stress in Isfahan. Journal of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources 13 (2): 1-11. (In Persian with English Summary)

Mozaffari, K., Arshi, Y., and Zeinali Khanghah, H., 1996. Research on the effects of water stress on some morphophysiological traits and yield components of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Seed and Plant Journal 12(3): 24-33. (In Persian with English Summary)

Nam, N.H., Chauhan, Y.S., and Johansen, C., 1993. Comparison of extra-short-duration pigeonpea with short-season legumes under rainfed conditions on alfisols. Experimental Agriculture 29. 307-316.

Omidi, A.H. 2009. Effect of drought stress at different growth stages on seed yield and some agro-physiological traits of three spring safflower cultivars. Seed and Plant Production of Journal 25: 15-31. (In Persian with English Summary)

Ramesh, S., Raghbir, S., Mohinder, S., Sharam, R., Singh, R., and Singh, M., 1999. Effect of P, Fe on the yield of sunflower. Annals Agricultural Research 4: 445-450.

Ravi, S., Channal, H.T., Hebsur, N.S., Patil, B.N., and Dharmatti, R., 2008. Effect of sulphur, zinc and iron nutrition on growth, yield, nutrient uptake and quality of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) Agriculture Science 21: 382-385.

Ravishankar, K.V., Shanker, R.V. and Kumar, M.V., 1990. Relative stability of seed and kernel oil content under moisture stress in sunflower evolutionary adaptation or physiologycall constrained. Indian Journal of Plant Physiology 9(4): 437-448.

Rezvani Moghaddam, P., Norouzian, A., and Seyyedi, S.M., 2015. Evaluation the effects of manure and mycorrhizal inoculation on grain and oil yield of spring safflower cultivars (Carthamus tinctorius L.). Journal of Agroecology 7(3): 331-343. (In Persian with English Summary)

Roshan, F., Moradi Telavat, M., and Siadat, S.A., 2016. Effect of foliar application of zinc sulfate at phonological growth stages on yield and yield components of spring safflower cultivars. Journal of Crops Improvement 17(4): 1063-1074. (In Persian with English Summary)

Roshdi, M., and Rezadoost, S., 2005. The effect of different levels of irrigation on the qualitative and quantitative features in varieties of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Iranian Journal of Agriculture Science 12(6): 1241-1250. (In Persian with English Summary)

Roshdi, M., Heydari Sharifabad, H., Karimi, M., Noor Mohammadi, G., and Darvish, F., 2005. A survey on the impact of water deficiency over the yield of sunflower seed cultivar and its components. Journal of Agricultural Sciences, Islamic Azad University 12(1): 110-120. (In Persian with English Summary)

Sadeghi-Bakhtouri, A.R., Pasban Eslam, B., Ghorbi, S., and Mohammadi, H., 2014. Effects of priming and water stress on growth, yield and yield attributes of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.). Iranian Journal of Oilseed Plant 4(2): 59-74. (In Persian with English Summary)

Sangale, P.B., Palit, G.D., and Daftardar, S.Y., 1981. Effect foliar application of zinc, iron and boron on yield of safflower. Journal of Maharashtra Agriculture University 6: 65-66.

Sarker, S.K., Chowdhury, M.A.H., and Zakir, H.M., 2002. Sulfur and boron fertilization on yield quality and nutrient uptake by Bangladesh soybean. Biological Sciences 11: 729-733.

Seifi Aski, S., Niknezhad, Y., and Fallah Amoli, M., 2017. The effect of foliar application of micronutrient on quality characteristics of local rice varieties. First National Conference on New Technologies in Iranian Food Science and Technology p. 50-55. (In Persian)

Shrestha, R., Turner, N.C.M., Siddique, K.H., Turner, D.W., and Speijers, J., 2006. A water deficit during pod development in lentils reduces flower and pod number but not pod size. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 57(4): 427-438.

Singh, R., Sharma, R.K., and Singh, M., 1996. Effect of P, Zn, Fe, CaCO3, and farmyard manure application on yield and quality of sunflower. Annals of Biology Ludhiana 12: 203-208.

Taherabadi, S., 2011. Effect of drought stress in different growth stages on physiological indices of sunflower cultivars. M.Sc Thesis. Urmia University. Iran. pp 115. (In Persian with English summary)

Tahmasebpour, B., and Mohammadian, R., 2013. The study of drought stress effect on yield and yield components in summer safflower cultivars. International Journal of Research In Agriculture and Food Sciences 1(1): 30-35.

Taiz, L., and Zeiger, E., 2002. Plant physiology. 3rd Edition, Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, USA, pp. 690.

Talha, M. 1976. A comparison between two systems of irrigation on sunflower production. Egyptian Journal of Soil Science 16(1):81-92.

Yari, P., Keshtkar, A.H., and Sepehri, A., 2015. Evaluation of water stress effect on growth and yield of spring safflower. Plant Production Technology 14(2): 101-117. (In Persian with English Summary)

Zobeidi, S., 2015. Effect of boron on yield and quality of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) genotypes. M.Sc Thesis. Ramin University of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Iran. (In Persian with English summary)