PJB-2004-36
GROWTH RESPONSE OF COTTON CULTIVARS TO ZINC DEFICIENCY STRESS IN CHELATOR-BUFFERED NUTRIENT SOLUTION
MUHAMMAD IRSHAD, MAQSOOD AHMAD GILL*, TARIQ AZIZ, RAHMATULLAH AND IFTIKHAR AHMED
Abstract
Growth response of eight cotton cultivars to Zn stress was assessed in chelator-buffered nutrient solution. Pre-germinated seedlings were grown in half strength modified Johnson's nutrient solution at adequate and deficient levels of Zn. Zinc deficiency was induced by adding 50 µM di-ethylene tri-amine penta acetic acid (DTPA) in addition to all micronutrient concentrations. Shoot and root growth for the various cotton cultivars was significantly different at both levels of Zn supply in the growth medium. A typical Zn deficiency symptom of inward curling of top leaves was evident in cotton cultivars grown with chelator-buffered nutrient solution (Zn deficient). Two cotton cultivars viz., FH-900 and VH-137, produced higher biomass and better Zn utilization. Zinc concentration in cotton shoots grown at deficient level of Zn was less than its critical concentration of 20 mg kg-1 which was several folds lower than its concentration estimated for those grown at adequate Zn level. The study also depicted successful induction of Zn deficiency in cotton in hydroponics by DTPA, indicating its suitability for screening crop cultivars for micronutrient stress particularly for Zn deficiency.
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