PJB-2020-356
Amelioration of thermo-tolerance ability in Spinacia oleracea L. cultivars by foliar application of chitosan
Muhammad Nazar
Abstract
Spinach production faces different types of stress; heat stress is one of those stresses which cause deleterious effects on its growth. There are many techniques to cope with these stresses but foliar application of chitosan was a very significant tool. In this experiment, three cultivars of spinach were selected (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 28/40°C (day/night temperature) was given by gradually enhancing 2°C per day. After one week of heat stress (32/40°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). After one week of chitosan, data for different parameters were collected for growth attributes along with physiological parameters were observed. The research findings proved that foliar application of chitosan responded better against heat stress and significantly affected attributes under the scrutiny of cultivars which followed the order for the heat stress as All Pure Green, Desi local, and Lahori Palak. The concentration of chitosan at 100 ppm revealed the best 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. It was seen that 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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