Effect of Ca(NO3)2, KH2PO4, and MnSO4 foliar application on ion accumulation and physiological traits of safflower under salt stress

In order to study the effect of Ca, K, and Mn foliar application on physiological traits of safflower Padideh cultivar under salt stress, a factorial experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications in Vali-asr university of Rafsanjan greenhouse. Factors included salinity with four levels of 0, 500, 1000, and 1500 mg NaCl kg-1, and foliar application with four level representing distilled water, Ca(NO3)2, KH2PO4 (10 mM) and MnSO4 (1 mM), sprayed two weeks after emergence, Every fortnight. The results showed that foliar application of KH2PO4 and MnSO4 inhibited ions leaching in 1000 mg NaCl. Ca(NO3)2 foliar application increased soluble sugar content (no salinity control) while Ca(NO3)2, KH2PO4, and MnSO foliar application somewhat increased Ca and K content in 1000 and 1500 mg NaCl treatments. Salinity and foliar application treatments didn’t affect Mg content. Increasing salinity increased Na content and Proline content significantly increased in 1500 mg NaCl under C (NO3)2 and KH2PO4 foliar application.