Enhancing drought tolerance in Camelina sativa L. and Canola napus L. through application of selenium

Abstract

Considering the burning issue the present study was undertaken in pot culture at the Cholistan Institute of Desert
\nStudies (CIDS), The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan for enhancing drought tolerance in two oilseed crops (OC)
\ncrops camelina (Camelina sativa L.) and canola (Canola napus L.) through improving physiological, biochemical, and
\nantioxidants activity by foliar application of selenium (Se) under drought stress. Two Camelina (i.e., ‘Australian Camelina’
\nand ‘Canadian Camelina’) and canola genotypes (i.e., ‘AARI Canola’ and ‘UAF Canola’) were used as plant materials
\nduring the growing season of 2016. Both Camelina and Canola genotypes were grown under normal (100% FC) and water
\ndeficit (drought stress) (40% FC) conditions. Four levels of Se: such as seeds priming with 75μM Se, foliar application of Se
\nat 7.06 μM and foliar Se in combination with seeds priming (7.06 μM & 75μM) along with control were applied at the
\nvegetative stage of both OC crops for screening drought tolerant genotypes. All treatments were arranged three times in a
\nrandomized complete block design. Both OC crops were grown upto the maturity and data on physiochemical, antioxidants
\nand yield components were recorded during this study. Results of the present study indicated that the physio-biochemical
\nparameters such as WP (water potential), OP (osmotic potential), TP (turgor pressure), proline, TSS (total soluble sugar),
\nTFAA (total free amino acids), TPr (total proteins) and TS (total sugars); and total chlorophyll contents were improved by
\nfoliar application Se along with seed priming by Se in both OC crops in both drought stress and non-stress (control)
\nconditions. Similarly, osmoprotectants such as GB (Glycinebetaine), anthocyanin, TPC (total phenolic contents) and
\nflavonoids; as well as antioxidants such as APX (ascorbate peroxidase), SOD (superoxide dismutase), POD (peroxidase) and
\nCAT (catalase) were also showed better enhancement in both OC crops through foliar application in combination with seed
\npriming with Se (7.06 μM & 75μM) under normal as well as water deficit (drought) conditions. Yield and its components
\ni.e., branches plant-1
\n(no.), 1000-seed weight (g), seed and biological yield (t ha-1
\n) of both OC crops were increased through
\nfoliar application in combination with seed priming by Se (7.06 μM & 75μM) under drought and non-drought stress
\nconditions. Both camelina and Canola genotypes categorized based on all the above-mentioned parameters under the water
\ndeficit (drought stress) condition and foliar application of Se, the genotype ‘Canadian Camelina’ maintained the highest
\nvalues for all these attributes. Therefore, it is revealed that foliar application in combination with seed priming by Se helps
\nto improve drought tolerance of OC crops and also leads to an increase in the productivity of crops under drought stress.
\nAmong the genotypes, ‘Canadian Camelina’ performed the best when seeds of the genotypes were primed with Se in
\ncombination with foliar application of Se at the vegetative stage.

Topics & Concepts