Amelioration of Thermo-Tolerance Ability in Spinacia oleracea L. Cultivars by Foliar Application of Chitosan
Muhammad Nazar1, Chaudhary Muhammad Ayyub2, Mujahid Ali3*, Malik Abdul Rehman4, Shoib ur Rehman5 and Saqib Ayyub2
ABSTRACT
Heat stress causes deleterious effects on growth and production of spinach in tropical and subtropical areas. There are many techniques to cope with these stresses but foliar application of chitosan was a very significant tool. Three cultivars of spinach (All Pure Green, Desi Local, and Lahori Palak) were grown at normal temperature 18/20°C (day/night temperature) and then after four weeks after emergence 40/32°C (day/night temperature) was given by gradually enhancing 2°C per day. After one week of heat stress (40/32°C), four treatments (25, 50, 75, 100 ppm) of chitosan were applied as a foliar spray on spinach cultivars in comparison to control (non-treated with chitosan). The research findings evidenced that foliar application of chitosan significantly affected attributes under heat stress. All Pure Green was affected more followed by Desi Local, while Lahori Palak was least affected. Chitosan at 100 ppm revealed the optimized results. It was observed that maximum value (17.48 SPAD units) was found in Lahori Palak at 25 ppm of chitosan, followed (17.05 SPAD units) at 100 ppm in Lahori Palak for chlorophyll contents. The minimum EL (57.75%) was observed in Lahori Palak at 100 ppm, similarly chlorophyll content were also maximum (17.48 SPAD units) in Lahori Palak at 100 ppm, building Lahori Palak more responsive toward chitosan against heat stress. Chitosan application with optimum concentration may help to improve the production potential of spinach cultivars in areas hit by temperature stresses.
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