Effect of foliar application of salicylic acid and chitosan on yield of Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)

In this study effect of foliar application of salicylic acid and chitosan in low irrigation condition on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) (Goldasht) as a split plot experiment based on a complete block design with three replications was conducted. The main plot was irrigation at three levels on the basis of (A1) 75 % field capacity (control), (A2) watering 50 % of field capacity (mild stress), (A3) 25 % field capacity (high stress) and acid salicylic acid and chitosan as sub plots. Water stress significantly decreased plant height , number of branches, seed yield , seed weight, biological yield and harvest index , protein, carbohydrates and seed oil. Salicilic acid and chitosan increased all parameters instead of chlorophyll and leaf area index in control condition. The results showed that the biological yield in stress condition significantly was increased by chitosan and salicilic acid. In conclusion, Salicilic acid and chitosan are effective to reduce oxidative damages and increase the Safflower yield.