Ikufīziyuluzhī-i Giyāhān-i Zirā̒ī (Feb 2014)
Effect of Foliar Application of Salicylic Acid on Chlorophyll Fluorescence and Pigment Amount of Sesame (Sesamum indicum) Varieties under Irrigated Conditions
Abstract
To study the effects of foliar applications of salicylic acid under cutting off irrigation at BBCH and phenological growth stages of plants and their interaction on chlorophyll a, b, carotenoid concentrations and chlorophyll fluorescence of sesame varieties (Sesamum indicum) a split factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with 3 replications was conducted at Shahrood (Semnan province of Iran) during growing season of 2011-2012. Main factor was three irrigation levels (full irrigation as control, cutting off irrigation at 69 BBCH (at 90% flowering stage), and cutting off irrigation at BBCH79 (at full growth of pods). Sub plots were three cultivars of sesame (Biarjomand native, Dashtestan 2, Darab 1) and two levels of the foliar applications salicylic acid (0, and 0.6 mM). The results of variance analysis showed that drought stress due to cutting of the irrigation at 90% flowering and full growth of pods reduced content of chlorophyll a, carotenoid and chlorophyll fluorescence significantly. Foliar application also reduced chlorophyll b and chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv, Fm) significantly. Experimental results indicated that highest concentrations of chlorophyll a and carotenoid 0.629 and 0.265 mg/g.Fw respectively produced by plants when irrigation was cutted off at BBCH 69 and the highest concentration of Fv/Fm (0.656) in control treatment. Based on the results obtained the maximum chlorophyll b content belonged to Darab (0.423 mg/g.Fw) and the lowest (0.364 mg/g.Fw) to Biarjomand native.
