Seed priming with mepiquat chloride and foliar applications of salicylic acid and proline improve the adverse effects of water deficit in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Abstract

We aimed to investigate the effects of some seed priming and foliar applications on stress prevention in cotton under deficit irrigation conditions. Seed priming with mepiquat chloride (PIX) and foliar applications of salicylic acid (SA) and proline (PRO) were tested at three levels of irrigation at 25, 50, and 100% of field capacity. Plant height, boll number, fiber length and fiber strength were significantly affected by the interaction of irrigation level × treatment. The effects of irrigation level and treatment were significant for boll weight, seed index, seed cotton yield and lint yield. When deficit irrigation conditions (25%) were compared with full irrigation, plant height decreased by 21.6 %, boll number by 18.1 %, boll weight by 26.0%, seed index by 5.8%, seed cotton yield by 25.6% and lint yield by 24.6%. Seed priming with PIX and foliar application of PRO produced significantly higher seed cotton and lint yields, whereas SA application had favourable fiber quality parameters under deficit irrigation conditions. PRO slightly increased fiber fineness. Foliar application of SA positively affected chlorophyll content (SPAD) and leaf area index (LAI) under deficit irrigation. In conclusion, it was recommended that all three practices could be successfully used to alleviate negative impacts under deficit irrigation conditions.