Water stress and mineral zeolite application on growth and some physiological characteristics of Mallow (Malva sylvestris)

The effect of drought stress and application of mineral zeolite was evaluated on morphological and physiological traits of mallow on complete random blocks design with three replications in greenhouse conditions in Maragheh (1390). Factors including, drought stress (control (100 percent FC), mild drought stress (75 percent FC) and intense drought stress (50 percent FC)) and zeolite (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 gram/kilogram soil). Significant differences were observed between the treatments. The results show that the highest shoot fresh weight (164 gram), root ( 87/66 g), shoot length ( 79 cm), stomata conductance (875.00 milli mol/m2/second) electrolytic leakage (87.72 milli mol cm-1), a and b chlorophyll (25/72 and 9/06 mg g-1 ) were observed in 8 gram zeolite and 100 percent moisture field capacity. Also the highest amount of soluble sugar (155.20 and mg g-1 DW) and prolin content (1/41 µMg-1 FW) was belong to zeolite control level, 50 percent moisture field capacity. The application of different levels of zeolite in each three moisture conditions improved agricultural traits. Totally, the results of this research shows that the application of zeolite in combination with soil prevent from water waste and facilitate water availability to plant.