DROUGHT ALLEVIATION USING GLUTATHIONE IN CANOLA PLANTS

Drought is one of most important environmental factors inhibiting photosynthesis and decreasing growth and productivity of plants. A Pot experiment was conducted in the greenhouse of the National Research Centre to evaluate the effect of glutathione GHS100 and 200 ppm, on Canola plants grown under different irrigation levels .Growth, yield, some chemical constituents and osmotic pressure (OP) were tested in plants. Plant height, number of green leaves, leaf area, and total dry weight positively responded to GHS treatments when canola plants received water every 7 days. Number of seeds and yield of seeds/plant responded to the interaction between irrigation intervals and glutathione spraying with 100 ppm glutathione was more effective than 200 ppm under 7 and 14 days irrigation intervals. The highest value of carbohydrate was obtained by spraying 100 ppm GHS and irrigation with 7 days intervals. Oil percentage only increased with application 100 and 200 ppm GHS under 7 days intervals. Application of glutathione showed slight increase in osmotic pressure of canola plants and 100 ppm GHS increased proline under 14 days irrigation intervals.