Effect of foliar application of zinc sulfate and ascorbic acid on growth and essence yield of medicinal plant of Echinacea purpurea (Purple coneflower) under drought stress

Subject Areas : Journal of Plant Ecophysiology

Farhad  Farahvash ¹ (عضو هیات علمی گروه زراعت دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی واحد تبریز)

Received: 2015-04-11 Accepted : 2015-07-16 Published : 2016-09-01

Keywords: Zinc sulfate, Drought stress, Ascorbic acid, Echinaceae purpurea (L.) Moench, Esence yield,

Abstract :

To evaluate of growth response and yield of Echinacea purpurea to foliar application of zinc sulfate and ascorbic acid under drought stress, an experiment was carried out in split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications in the Agricultural Research Station of Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch in 2011-12. Experimental factors consisted of: drought stress as the main factor in three levels (irrigation after: 70 and 170 mm evaporation from class A pan), Secondary factor consisted of: application of zinc sulfate in two levels (0 and 0.005) and ascorbic acid in four levels (0, 50, 100 and 150 mg/lit). Microelement application of Zinc had significant effect on plant height, stomata resistance, essence percentage and biological yield of purpule coneflower. The most effect on biological yield was equal to 290.3 kg/ha obtained in foliar application of zinc sulfate in condition of irrigation after 70mm from class A pan. The most of essence percent with 0.854% obtained in foliar application of zinc sulfate under 120mm water stress. Application of ascorbic acid (100 mg/lit) as an antioxidant decreased harmful effects of drought stress in some studies trait of Purpule coneflower and increased essence percentage and biological yield of Purpule coneflower.