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Abstract
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Article Information:
Effects of Zeolite and Selenium Application on Some Physiological Traits and Oil Yield of Medicinal Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) under Drought Stress
Kourosh Eskandari Zanjani, Amir Hossein Shirani Rad, Masoumeh Naeemi, Amin Moradi Aghdam and Tofigh Taherkhani
Corresponding Author: Masoumeh Naeemi
Submitted: March 14, 2012
Accepted: March 30, 2012
Published: July 10, 2012 |
Abstract:
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There is no doubt that certain plants offer valuable medicinal properties. But there are many
challenges that local communities face in the harvesting and cultivation of these plants. Medicinal pumpkin
(Cucurbita pepo L. var. Styriaca) is an economically important medicinal plant cultivated for oil production.
Water source limitation is one of the important problems in agriculture worldwide. Natural zeolits have some
properties such as water absorption and emission and nitrate leaching inhibition, which is useful for soil
amendment. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of zeolite and selenium application on some
physiological traits and oil yield of medicinal pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) under drought stress. A field
experiment was carried out in a factorial based on a randomized complete block design with three replications.
The factors included: Irrigation (control, drought stress imposed during at flowering phase and drought stress
imposed during fruit formation), Zeolite (non-application and application of 10 ton/ha) and Selenium (nonapplication
and 30 g/Lit) from sodium selenate. All physiological parameters were affected by drought stress
and zeolite application. Drought stress decreased total chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance, RWC, leaf
soluble protein, oil content and oil yield and zeolite application in drought stress increased mentioned traits
except oil content. Proline accumulation, WSD and CAT antioxidant enzyme activity were reduced in presence
of zeolite in drought stress conditions than under control. Selenium spraying with zeolite application in drought
conditions increased RWC, CAT antioxidant enzyme activity and oil yield. Drought stress at fruit formation
phase reduced oil content and oil yield more severe than that on flowering stage. Finally, it seems that zeolite
and selenium application in dry lands are exposed to drought stress be helpful for physiological traits and oil
yield improvement and prevention of decreased oil yield.
Key words: Chlorophyll, drought, medicinal pumpkin, proline, stomatal conductance, ,
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Cite this Reference:
Kourosh Eskandari Zanjani, Amir Hossein Shirani Rad, Masoumeh Naeemi, Amin Moradi Aghdam and Tofigh Taherkhani, . Effects of Zeolite and Selenium Application on Some Physiological Traits and Oil Yield of Medicinal Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) under Drought Stress. Current Research Journal of Biological Sciences, (4): 462-470.
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ISSN (Online): 2041-0778
ISSN (Print): 2041-076X |
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