Effect of Zinc and Iron Sulfate on Yield and Kaempferol Content of Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) Under Drought Stress

In order to study the effect of zinc sulfate and iron sulfate under drought stress on yield and kaempferol in chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), a field experiment was conducted at Bu-Ali Sina university in 2012 growing season. The experiment was carried out as split plot based on complete randomized block design with three replications. Drought stress in three irrigation levels at 60 (Control), 90 (mild stress) and 120 (severe stress) mm from evaporation pan class A were assigned to main plot and four foliar application (Fe, Zn, Fe Zn and control) treatment were randomized in sub-plots. Results showed that drought stress in 90 and 120 mm caused reduction about 70.52 and 111.51 Kg/h in seed yield, 1280.71 and 1811.96 Kg/h in biological yield, 121.03 and 293.54 Kg/h in leaf yield compared to the control, respectively. Drought stress also increased kaempferol percentage in 90 and 120 mm irrigation regime about 38 % copmpared to 60 mm irrigation regim. Foliar spray of zinc and iron had no significant effect on the percentage of leaf kaempferol. The number of lateral baranch and SPAD number in 90 mm irrigation regime and foliar application of Zn Fe increased about 9.4 compared to the control. Foliar application of zinc sulfate increased root yield and biological yield about 70.43 and 314.5 Kg/h, respectively. The number of lateral branch and biological yield in 120 mm irrigation regime and application of zinc and iron at the same time increased about 529 Kg/h. Foliar application of Zinc sulfate also increased root yield about 37.5 Kg/h compared to the control.