Paper Details

Changes in soluble and insoluble carbohydrates of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) influenced by supplemental irrigation and super absorbent polymer

Mohammad Saeed Hasanvandi, Amir Aynehband, Masoud Rafiee, Mani Mojadam, Abdolrahman Rasekh

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.12692/ijb/5.8.91-100

Int. J. Biosci. 5(8), 91-100. October, 2014. (PDF)

Abstract:

The present investigation studied the effects of supplemental irrigation, the application of Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP) on seed yield, and the physiological characteristics relevant to water stress in leaves and roots of safflower. Supplemental irrigation was implemented at 4 levels including dry-farming; supplemental irrigation was implemented at late vegetative, flowering, and filling of seeds phases as main factors. Super absorbent polymer (SAP) at two levels (Control and 200kg/hectares) and 6 safflower varieties were used in winter cultivation in the factorial form as sub-factors. The results indicated that supplemental irrigation can prevent a reduction in seed yield by improving physiological parameters like soluble and insoluble carbohydrates. At the flowering stage, supplemental irrigation increased seed yield an average of 35% compared with dry-farming, thereby producing the maximum rate of seed yield in both test years. soluble carbohydrate rate was reduced under the influence of supplemental irrigation, but insoluble carbohydrates concentration was increased. Leaves and roots varied similarly in respect to any parameters, but their concentrations were different. Employing SAP can affect all studied parameters and lead toward a reduction of drought stress. It is suggested that supplemental irrigation together with an application of SAP be used for the safflower in its flowering phase in order to reduce drought stress loss and to increase yield in dry-farmed cultivations.