ECOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE OF WHITE BEAN (PHASEOLUS VULGARIS L.) AFFECTED BY ALGAE EXTRACT AND SALICYLIC ACID SPRAYING UNDER WATER DEFICIT STRESS

In order to investigate the effects of salicylic acid and seaweed extract foliar on photosynthetic pigments of white bean grown under water deficit stress, a split-split plot experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replicates. The experimental factors consisted of irrigation regimes at three levels, seaweed extract at four levels and salicylic acid foliar application at two levels. In both places of the experiment, application of 150 g.ha(-1) seaweed extract along with salicylic acid increased leaf relative water content in plants grown under water deficit stress. The maximum chlorophyll a content (15.15 mg.g(-1) FW) was observed when 150 g.ha(-1) seaweed extract was applied under no water deficit stress condition. By contrast, the minimum chlorophyll a content (8.34 mg.g(-1) FW) was related to 50 g.ha(-1) seaweed extract. In addition, the minimum proline content (79 mg.g(-1) FW) was found when no salicylic acid foliar was applied under water deficit stress. However, the maximum proline content (123.2 mg.g(-1) FW) was obtained when 100 g.ha(-1) from seaweed extract was applied under severe water deficit stress. The results indicated that the maximum seed yield (2343.3 kg ha(-1)) was achieved when 100 g.ha(-1) seaweed extract was applied and there was no water deficit stress.