Abstract

EFFECT OF SPRAYING POTASSIUM PHOSPHATE ON SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EGGPLANT UNDER DROUGHT STRESS

Zakeria Hassan Al-Obaidy1* and Tamara Jabbar Al-Khazraji2

ABSTRACT

A factorial experiment has been implemented by using the randomized complete block design (R.C.B.D) in plastic house Biology Department/College of Science/University of Diyala during the autumn season 2016 to study the effect of potassium phosphate on some growth characteristics of eggplant under drought stress. Three levels of potassium phosphate P1, P2 and P3 (0, 1, and 2) gm l-1 were used, which have been sprayed in two batches, the first after 40 days of planting, and the second after 10 days of the addition of the first batch. Two drought stress were used: S1 level (irrigation by 21.6 l day-1) and S2 level (irrigation by 10.8 l day-1). Leaf area, chlorophyll index, total solid substances (TSS) and total phenol concentration(TPC) were studied. Results showed that mean leaf area was 141.4 cm2 at S1 treatment, while it was decreased to 89.7 cm2 at S2 treatment with a significant decrease of 36.6%. Treatment S2 had a significant increase in the total soluble solid substances (TSS), and the total phenol concentration (TPC) were 13.9% and 128.8% respectively. Spraying with potassium phosphate resulted in a significant increase in the mean leaf area and chlorophyll index. The highest value of the mean leaf area was recorded at the treatment P3 (136.6) cm2 when compared with treatment P1 (103.2) cm2. while chlorophyll index recorded (14.8) units at the treatment P3 when compared with treatment P1 (12.3) units.

Keywords: Potassium phosphate, Drought stress, Eggplant.