Interactive effects of drought and salinity on reproductive traits and chlorophyll content of Narcissus tazetta L.

Abstract

This study was aimed to investigate the interactive effects of drought (90, 70, 50, and 30% FC) and salinity (0, 20, 40, and 60 mМ NaCl) on flower quality, antioxidant activity and ion concentrations of Narcissus tazetta L. cv. Shahla. The results demonstrated that drought, salinity, and their interactions had adverse effects on reproductive parameters (flower diameter and flower duration) of N. tazetta except for the flower number. Both drought and salt stress decreased total chlorophyll content, and the lowest value was obtained from 60 mM NaCl × 30% FC treatment. In conclusion, the sensitivity of N. tazetta plant to salinity stress was more than drought, which was exacerbated by the simultaneous application of both stresses.