Evaluation of the effect of drought stress and silica spraying on some physiological characteristics of canola cultivars

In order to investigate the effects of drought stress and silica spraying on some physiological characteristics of canola, an experiment was conducted in the research farm of Behbahan University in 2016-2017. In the present study, the effect of concentrations of 0 (S0) and 30 (S1) mM potassium silicate under normal irrigation conditions (irrigation after %25 of available water discharges) and drought stress conditions (irrigation after %75 of available water discharges) on four canola cultivars including Hayola 401, Agamax, Jacamo and Jerry was performed in flowering period in split plot design based on randomized complete block design with three replications. Based on the results, photosynthetic index, photosynthesis rate, chlorophyll index, transpiration rate, chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b significantly decreased under drought stress conditions. According to the mean comparison table for silica spray application, the difference in chlorophyll index, transpiration rate, chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b was significant compared to non-spray application. The amount of chlorophyll index in drought stress increased compared to normal irrigation conditions due to lower leaf area in drought stress conditions. According to the results, because the Hyola 401 and Agamix cultivars had better conditions for physiological traits compared to the Jacamau and Jerry cultivars, it is suggested that they should be used in areas of the country where faced with water stresses.