The Effect of Manure and Water Stress on Nutrient Uptake and Some Biochemical Properties in Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.)

Water stress is the most important non-living factor in reducing plant growth and production. In order to investigate the effect of different levels of irrigation and manure on biochemical properties and nutrient uptake of chicory, a factorial experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Experimental treatments included moisture levels (50, 70 and 90% of field capacity moisture) and doses of rotten cow manure (zero, 10, 20 and 30 tons per hectare of manure). The results of analysis of variance showed that the content of phosphorus and potassium, soluble sugars, proline, glycine betaine, glutathione and ascorbic acid of chicory were affected by different levels of irrigation and fertilizer consumption at a probability level of 1 %. Interaction of experimental treatments (moisture levels× amounts of manure consumption) on the uptake of trace nutrients (zinc, copper and manganese) and relative moisture content at a probability level of 1%, catalase enzyme activity at a probability level of 5%, glutathione reductase and ascorbate peroxidase and forage yield of chicory were also significant at the level of 1% probability. The results showed that with increasing water stress, the content of phosphorus, potassium, glutathione and ascorbic acid significantly decreases. While the highest amount of total soluble sugars, proline and glycine betaine was obtained under conditions of severe water stress. Consumption of 30 tons per hectare of manure the amount of phosphorus, potassium, total soluble sugars, glutathione and ascorbic acid increased by 44, 42, 27, 26 and 41%, respectively, compared to the control. Increasing the consumption of livestock manure played an effective role in the absorption of micronutrients (zinc, copper and manganese with values of 2.57, 0.74 and 1.72 mg/kg, respectively) and improving the relative moisture content (83.54%) and yield of chicory biomass (250/83 kg/ha) at each irrigation level. Therefore, in different stress treatments, the use of manure by reducing the oxidative damage caused by dehydration improves the absorption of nutrients and some biochemical characteristics of chicory plant for sustainable agriculture.