Effect of zeolite on oil quality of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) cultivars in drought stress conditions

In order to investigate the effect of zeolite on oil quality of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) cultivars in drought stress condition, an experiment was carried out in research farm of Seed and Plant Improvement Institute in 2009 in Karaj-Iran. The experiment was conducted as Randomized Complete Block Design with Factorial split-plot arrangement in three replications. Irrigation factor was chosen at two levels, included complete irrigation and irrigation holding at stem elongation stage. Zeolite was used at two levels, non application and 10 ton per hectare. These treatments were randomized in main plots while, three canola cultivar (Zarfam, Sarigol and Okapi) were randomized in sub plots. Palmitic, stearic and arachidic acids (saturated fatty acids) and palmitoleic, alaidic and linoleic acids (unsaturated fatty acids) were measured. Results showed that drought stress conditions decreased severely fatty acids, but application of zeolite in drought stress increased water holding capacity of soil, resulte in increasing of unsaturated fatty acids and oil quality in rapeseed. Based on the results of present study, due to increasing oil quality and decreasing plant water requirement, application of zeolite is economically recommendable.