M.A. Thesis:

The effect of micronutrients fortified with essential amino asids on morphological characteristics of foxtail millet (setaria italica) under salinity stress

In order to investigate the effect of foliar application of micronutrients fortified with essential amino acids on growth characteristics of foxtail millet under salinity stress, a factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with three replications was carried out in greenhouse of agricultural faculty, Islamic Azad University, Sabzevar branch. Experimental factors included three application rates of micronutrients fortified with essential amino acids: 0, 1 and 2 kg/ha and salinity stress at four levels of: 0 (control), 50, 100 and 150 mM. The first foliar application of micronutrients fortified with essential amino acids was performed after plant establishment ant repeated twice until beginning of reproductive growth with two-week intervals. Results showed that salinity stress had no significant effect on average root diameter, but decreased leaf chlorophyll index, plant height, root volume, total root area, total root length, root dry weight, shoot dry weight, root/shoot ratio and leaf relative water content. The foliar application of 1 and 2 kg/ha micronutrients fortified with essential amino acids increased leaf chlorophyll index, plant height, root volume, total root area, total root length, root dry weight, shoot dry weight and root/shoot ratio in the absence of salt stress. The highest positive effect was observed in foliar application of 2 kg/ha micronutrients fortified with essential amino acids. The foliar application of micronutrients fortified with essential amino acids had no effect on leaf chlorophyll index and plant height at 50 mM salinity level, but decreased them at 100 and 150 mM salinity stresses. The foliar application of micronutrients fortified with essential amino acids had no significant effect on root volume, total root area, total root length, root dry weight and shoot dry weight at different salinity levels. The foliar application of 1 kg/ha micronutrients fortified with essential amino acids significantly increased root/shoot ratio at 100 and 150 mM salinity stresses.

Keywords: Amino acid, millet, micronutrients, foliar application, Salt stress.