Water Deficit Affects Growth, Physiology and Some Quality Parameters of Cress

Abstract

One of the important issues limiting crop growing in agricultural areas is drought. The fact that the existing water resources have not changed makes it necessary to irrigate under limited conditions in plant cultivation. The study was conducted to evaluate the impacts of irrigation levels on growth and quality characteristics of cress. In the study, cress (Lepidium sativum L.) seeds were planted in 26 L pots and 4 different irrigation levels (100%, 85%, 75%, 55%) were applied according to field capacity with sowing. 36 days after sowing, the plants were harvested and the growth, antioxidant enzyme activity, chlorophyll content, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA), proline and sucrose content were investigated. Significant differences occurred between the applications and doses in terms of the parameters examined. At the end of the research, it was determined that the decrease in irrigation level significantly reduced plant growth and chlorophyll content in cress. Lower irrigation levels elevated the H2O2, MDA, proline and sucrose content of cress. Irrigation levels affected plant growth and quality in cress significantly, but there was not much change in plant growth at 85% irrigation level compared to 100% irrigation level. In the study, it was concluded that at the point of efficient use of existing water resources, 15% water savings can be produced with the same yield and higher nutrient content in terms of plant production.