Effect of zeolite application and selenium spraying on water relations traits and antioxidant enzymes in medicinal pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) under water deficit stress conditions

In order to evaluation the effect of zeolite application and selenium spraying on water relations traits and antioxidant enzymes in medicinal pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) at water deficit stress conditions, an experiment was conducted in factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications during 2010 in Takestan, Iran. The three levels of irrigation factor include normal irrigation (control), withhold irrigation at the flowering and fruit formation stages, zeolite factors include two levels of non application and use of 10 tons per hectare and selenium was sprayed at two concentration in zero and 30 grams per liter per hectare. Water deficit increased antioxidant enzymes activity, so that the increase in stressed plants at flowering stage was among the most prominent. Selenium spraying increased the anti-oxidative activity. Zeolite application of 10 tons per hectare, reduced stress effects and improved traits as RWC, WSD, soluble protein content, number of seeds, 100 seed weight and oil yield. According to the results, application of zeoilite under drought stress condition retain the moisture during stress and can be useful in improving plant growth and production.