Effect of zeolite and selenium foliar application on growth, production and some physiological attributes of three canola (Brassica napus L.) cultivars subjected to drought stress

In order to study effect of zeolite soil application and selenium foliar application on growth, seed yield and some physiological attributes of three canola cultivar under conditions of drought stress an experiment was conducted in two growing season in 2006 and 2007. Site of study was located in Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Karaj, Iran. The experimental design was a randomized complete block arranged in factorial split plot with three replications. Irrigation factor was chosen at two levels, included complete irrigation and irrigation holding at stem elongation stage. Zeolite was used at two levels, non application and 10 ton per hectare. Also selenium was sprayed at three concentrations, 0, 15 and 30 g per liter from sodium selenate. These treatments were randomized in main plots while three canola cultivars (Zarfam, Okapi and Sarigol) were randomized in sub plots. According to obtained results Zarfam cultivar showed the lowest electrolyte leakage and the highest biological yield as result of soil zeolite application and 30 g per liter selenium. On the other side the highest chlorophyll content and seed yield was related to Okapi cultivars under the same treatments while Sarigol cultivar was in the next rank.