Effect of Water Stress on Physiological Parameters of oil Seed Rape (Brassica napus)

Oil seed rape (Brasica napus) is an important crop, which is cultivated in Iran for oil production. As a management practice deficit irrigation strategy is applied to cope with water shortages, especially during drought periods. This research was conducted to study the effect of water stress on physiological parameter of oil seed rape in the experimental research field of Collage of Agriculture (of shiraz university) during 2004- 2005 and 2005- 2006. Licord cultivar of oil seed rape was planted and experimental design was random block with five treatments and four replications. Treatments were full irrigation in all growth stages, water stress in vegetative stage in early spring, water stress in flowering and podding stages, water stress in grain filling stage and dry land treatment with supplemental irrigation in time of planting. Water stress caused decrease in water potential of plant, an increase in canopy temperature, and decrease in plant height especially in dry land treatment. Leaf area index decreased as water stress increased. The decrease in leaf area index was more severe in vegetative stage water stress treatment. At the end of water stress period leaf area index increased again. Rate of decrease in leaf area index at the end of the growing season was higher in grain filling stage of water stress treatment.