Effects of different zeolite levels on agronomic and physiological traits of camelina (Camelina sativa L.) under full and cut-off irrigation

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Professor of Seed and Plant Improvement Institute (SPII), Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Technical and Vocational University (TVU), Tehran, Iran

3 Associate Professor, Department of Agronomy and Horticultural Science, Safiabad Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO)

Abstract

Introduction
Oilseed crops play a vital role in human life by supplying a substantial portion of nutritional requirements and serving as raw materials for various industries. Camelina (Camelina sativa L.) is an oilseed crop with high cultivation potential compared with other oilseed species, owing to its relatively short growth period, moderate to low nutrient requirements, and high tolerance to a wide range of biotic and abiotic stresses. Developing drought-resistant crops such as camelina, along with strategies to conserve water and enhance water use efficiency under drought stress conditions, can contribute to increasing total oilseed production. In this context, the application of soil amendment materials such as zeolite can improve plant growth under drought stress conditions. Zeolite is an environmentally friendly material that has been widely used to improve soil physical and chemical properties due to its unique characteristics. Accordingly, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of different zeolite application rates on seed yield, oil content, and fatty acid composition of camelina under optimal irrigation and drought stress conditions in Karaj, Iran.
 
Materials and methods
A factorial experiment was conducted during two growing seasons (2018–2019 and 2019–2020) with three replications to investigate the effects of zeolite application rates (0, 5, 10, and 15 t ha⁻¹) on camelina under three irrigation regimes (full irrigation, restricted irrigation from the silique formation stage, and restricted irrigation from the beginning of flowering). A 2‑m separation distance was maintained between experimental plots to minimize lateral water movement and prevent inter‑plot water penetration. Each experimental plot consisted of six rows, each 6 m long, with a row spacing of 30 cm and a plant spacing of 5 cm within rows. Camelina seeds (Soheil cultivar) were sown on 27 September in both growing seasons. Irrigation was applied using a surface (flood) irrigation system, and irrigation intervals across treatments were determined based on 80 mm of cumulative evaporation measured with a Class A evaporation pan. The volume of irrigation water applied to each main plot was measured using water meters installed separately for each main plot across all three replications. Accordingly, total irrigation volumes of 5120, 3840, and 2560 m³ ha⁻¹ were applied under full irrigation, restricted irrigation from the silique formation stage, and restricted irrigation from the beginning of flowering, respectively.
 
Results and discussion
The results indicated that drought stress significantly reduced relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll content (a, b, and total), oil content, and seed yield of camelina, whereas stomatal resistance and carbohydrate and proline contents in camelina leaves increased under conditions of irrigation withholding from the silique formation and flowering stages compared with full irrigation. Zeolite application under three irrigation regimes resulted in decreased stomatal resistance and carbohydrate and proline contents in camelina, whereas relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll content (a, b, and total), oil content, and seed yield increased in response to zeolite application under different irrigation regimes. The highest seed yield (2209 kg ha⁻¹) was obtained under full irrigation with zeolite application at a rate of 15 t ha⁻¹, whereas the highest camelina oil content (31%) was obtained under full irrigation with zeolite application at a rate of 10 t ha⁻¹.
 
Conclusion
Overall, the findings demonstrated that applying zeolite, particularly under irrigation withholding during the silique formation and flowering stages, reduced the adverse effects of drought stress, improved camelina plant growth, and ultimately increased total production. Therefore, the application of 10 t ha⁻¹ of zeolite under full irrigation conditions and 15 t ha⁻¹ under irrigation withholding from the silique formation and flowering stages is recommended for achieving the highest seed and oil yields.
 
Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge the support provided by the Seed and Plant Improvement Institute (SPII), Karaj, Iran.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Environmental Stresses in Crop Sciences
Volume 19, Issue 2
June 2026
Pages 373-391

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History

  • Receive Date: 15 February 2025
  • Revise Date: 10 April 2025
  • Accept Date: 12 April 2025

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