Effect of Drought Stress and Salicylic Acid on Growth Characteristics of Cucumis melo cv. Khatouni

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 High Educational Complex of Torbat-e Jam

2 High Educational Complex of Torbat-e Jam, khorasan Razavi, Iran

3 Department of Water Science and Engineering, University of Torbat-e Jam, Khorasan Razavi, Iran

10.22125/iwe.2024.423759.1763

Abstract

Water shortage stress is the most important obstacle to melon cultivation in arid and semi-arid regions of Iran. Regarding to the importance of melon production in Razavi Khorasan Province, this pot study was conducted with the aim of investigating the response of melon growth to drought stress and salicylic acid application in Torbat Jam Higher Education Complex in 1401. Melon seeds were planted in the growing bags filling with field soil, and the bags were placed in the outdoors to apply the treatments. Drought stress treatment included available soil water at different levels of 85, 75, 65, 55, 45 and 35% and salicylic acid treatment at two levels of zero and one millimolar. The results showed that drought stress had a significant effect on all measured growth traits, but the effect of salicylic acid was significant only on the content of chlorophyll a and b, carotenoids and relative leaf water. Decreasing soil water to less than 7% and 65%, respectively, caused a significant decrease in chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b. Soil moisture less than 65% also caused a significant decrease in leaf area, relative leaf water content, nitrogen uptake and root and shoot dry weight. In general, for each unit of moisture reduction to less than 67% of available soil water, the amount of aerial dry matter decreased by 2.4% compared to optimal moisture conditions. According to the results of this research, the best time to irrigate Khatouni melon is when only 40% of available soil moisture has been depleted.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Irrigation and Water Engineering

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 28 January 2024

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