Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Graduate Student in Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University Ahvaz
2 Assistant Professor, College of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University Ahvaz
3 Associate Professor, College of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz
Abstract
In order to study water deficit stress on safflower in different stages of growth, this experiment was conducted in Shahid Chamran University during 2009 – 2010 growing season in a split plot test based on randomized complete block design with three replications. The main factor was irrigation levels including I1: full irrigation, I2: withholding irrigation at bud stage until final growing season, I3: withholding irrigation during flowering until final growing season and I4: withholding irrigation at grain filling until final growing season and the subplots were two safflower: Goldasht (ILL.111) and Padideh (LRV.51.51). Results showed that stop irrigation in bolls stage (extreme water deficit) caused significant decrease in seed and oil yield, 1430.8 kg/h and 306.7kg.h respectively. Water stress significantly increased in proline content (547.12mg.kg). In the other hand, withholding of irrigation at grain filling until seed maturing stage had no significant effect on oil and proline content. Extreme water deficit stress resulted in more decrease in crop growth rate (CGR) and relative growth rate (RGR) compared to non control treatment. In the water stress condition, relative water content (RWC) decreased. The highest oil yield was obtained in Goldasht cultivar and the lowest oil yield in Padideh cultivar was observed. The research results showed watering restrictions during the grain filling stage sharply decreased in product performance, but quality did not. Accordingly, water management and economy in using water can help produce economical products.
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