Anti-transpirant Application Improves the Drought Tolerance of Fig (Ficus carica L.) Under Optimization of Brassinolide

Abstract

Background and Objective: Possible role of exogenously applied anti-transpirant in alleviating the detrimental effects of drought in fig under brassinolide optimization were evaluated in a greenhouse to discover the role of anti-transpirants and BLs in improving drought tolerance in fig. Materials and Methods: Fig planting materials (Improved Brown Turkey cultivar) were propagated using cuttings taken from mature 2-3 years old figs and transferred into substrate containing 3:2:1 mixed soil (top soil:organic matters:sand). The experiment was arranged as RCBD factorials with 3 replications. Fig was subjected into 2 water stress levels (well watered and drought stressed) followed by foliar spray of anti-transpirant (control and 2 kg haG1) to assess the changes in water status, leaf gas exchange, photosynthetic pigments and biochemical responses. Results: Drought substantially reduced the water status on relative leaf water content, photosynthetic pigments, leaf gas exchange but increased water status on leaf water content. Moreover, substantial increased in biochemical responses attributes to proline content, malondialdehyde, soluble sugar content, peroxidase, catalase but decreased on starch and protein content. However, exogenous application of anti-transpirant remarkably improved water status on LWC, the gas exchange and photosynthetic pigments both under drought and well-watered conditions. Conclusion: The results indicate that the application of anti-transpirant can ameliorate the effects of water stress and enhance drought resistance of fig by adjust water loss using stomatal control.