Document Type : Complete scientific research article
Authors
1
دانشکده کشاورزی گروه زراعت
2
Shahrekord University
3
دانشکده کشاورزی دانشگاه شهرکرد
10.22069/ejsms.2026.23090.2170
Abstract
Background and Objective: Drought stress is a major environmental challenge that has a negative impact on agricultural productivity by disrupting growth and developmental processes, ultimately resulting in reduced crop yields. One significant consequence of drought stress is disturbance of the plant's nutritional balanc, which can potentially be alleviated by applying micronutrients through foliar sprays during periods of stress. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of zinc foliar sprays on the growth, physiological, and biochemical responses of Persian shallot plants under drought stress conditions.
Materials and Methods: This study was carried out using a factorial and randomized complete block design within pots at the Shahrekord University Research Farm, consisting of four replications during the 2023-2024 agricultural season. The experimental factors included drought stress, which comprised both no stress and stress conditions by keeping moisture levels at 50% of field capacity, along with varying zinc concentrations of 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg/L applied as a foliar spray.
Results: Drought conditions significantly influenced various parameters, including plant height, leaf count, fresh weights of leaves, roots, and bulbs, as well as the number and fresh weight of sister bulbs, relative water content of leaves, membrane electrolyte leakage, and levels of proline, malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and photosynthetic pigments. Zinc application had a notable impact on all measured traits, with the exception of leaf count and photosynthetic pigments. Additionally, the interaction between drought stress and zinc treatment significantly affected all traits, except for plant height, leaf count, fresh weight bulbs, number of sister bulbs, and all photosynthetic pigments. The most pronounced positive effects were observed under full irrigation at a zinc concentration of 200 mg/L, while the least effects were recorded under drought stress with the control treatment. Under drought conditions, the application of 200 mg/L zinc resulted in increases in leaf fresh weight (95%), root fresh weight (76%), scallion fresh weight (88%), leaf relative water content (40%), and proline content (148%) compared to the control. Conversely, membrane electrolyte leakage (38%), malondialdehyde (68%), and hydrogen peroxide (48%) levels decreased. The fresh weight of Persian shallot bulbs under drought stress and non-stress conditions was recorded at 49.6 g and 64 g, respectively. Among the various zinc sulfate treatments, the highest bulb fresh weight was achieved at a concentration of 200 mg/L zinc, yielding 59.6 g, which represents an 11.2% increase over the control.
Conclusion: In this study, by noting a noteworthy positive impact from high amounts of zinc sulfate under both non-stressed and drought-stressed conditions, it can be determined that a level of 200 mg zinc per liter enhances the growth, physical characteristics, and biochemical activities in the development of Persian shallot plants. Moreover, in addition to promoting high yields in non-stressed circumstances, it also aids in boosting production during drought-stressed situations.
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