Effective Factors on Water Use Efficiency in Sesame, Maize and Common Bean in Response to Salicylic Acid under Deficit Irrigation Condition

In order to evaluate different irrigation amounts and salicylic acid spraying and determination of principal components in water use efficiency of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), maize (Zea mays L.) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), a split plots experiment based on RCBD design with three replications was conducted in 2014-2015 growing seasons, in Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. Irrigation levels (50 and 100% of water requirement) and application and non-application of salicylic acid assigned to main and sub plots, respectively. The result showed that in sesame and maize, the highest seed yield obtained in conditions of salicylic acid application. Variables analyzed to 3 factors in sesame and 2 factors in maize and bean. In sesame, first factor included variables of dry matter yield, plant height, leaf erea index and soil phosphorous, variables of seed yield, seed weight per plant, crop growth rate and water use efficiency were in second factor and variables of EC, soil nitrogen and pH had the highest load in third factor. In maize, variables of seed yield, dry matter yield, seed weight per plant, plant height, crop growth rate, leaf erea index and water use efficiency were on first factor and variables of soil nitrogen, EC, pH and soil phosphorous had the highest load in second factor. In bean, variables of seed yield, dry matter yield, seed weight per plant, crop growth rate, soil nitrogen and phosphorous, EC and water use efficiency were in first factor and second factor included variables of leaf erea index, plant height and soil pH. In general, in all three plants, water use efficiency and effective variables in seed yield were in same factor, therefore it seems that any change in these variables will result in a direct change in water use efficiency.