Effects of nanozeolite on some of the characteristics of P. euramericana triplo seedling under watering regimes

Populous euramericana triplo is the most important wood production species in the north of Iran. According to climate change and limitation in water sources, the production of seedlings and establishment of this species has become particularly problematic in some of these sites including East of Mazandaran and Golestan regione under dryland conditions. Purpose of this study was conducted to identify drought tolerant Populous euramericana triplo seedlings under water stress. By using nanozeolite application in rhizospher soil, for the first time to different watering regimes to finding the best method and technique for production of seedling in nurseries and successful wood production. The aim of this investigation was evaluation of growth of one of poplar clone in water stress conditions.

In this study, 180 seedlings hybrid clone of Populous euramericana triplo were used so that healthy seedlings of uniform height were chosen for experiment of application nanozeolite treatment under drought stress (four watering regimes). The experiment was conducted as with two treatments (nanozeolite including, 0, 1% and 5% w/w), (0, 10, 50 g/kg soil) and different watering levels (3, 6, 9 and 12 dayes) nearly three month in growing season in Ghaemshahr Horticultural Research Station in green house so that the survival rate, growth and some morphological traits were investigated. Therefor the experiment was conducted as a factorial, using a randomized completely block design in green house condition with three replication.

The results of this study showed that triplo clone seedlings under drought treatment suffered significant water loss displayed decline in growth. So that increasing the watering period (water stress) caused to significantly decrease the survival percentages, diameter growth, height growth, morphological characteristics including, leaf number, leaf area, leaf biomass, shoot biomass, root biomass, root length, root volume and chlorophyll content. While, the mentioned growth parameters were greater in seedlings inoculated with adding 1% nanozeolite (10 g/kg soil), compared with those of non- application seedlings and it was the best effect on drought tolerance so that the seedlings in severe water stress (12 days of irrigation interval) had increased in these properties such as, height growth, leaf number, leaf area, leaf biomass, shoot biomass, root biomass were respectively increased by 50, 54, 155, 188, 40 and 47%.

In this study was demonstrated Populous euramericana triplo species was gentle derought tolerance and the addition of 1% nanozeolite for decrease of water stress on seedling and improving growth this species is suitable. Survival rate of seedlings were up to 80% in watering periods of 9 and 12 days. Thus, suggests that These irrigations interval for seedling production of hybrid clone populous in nurseries and establishment of Field. Moreover, in order to enhance of resistance of populous seedlings in drought conditions (watering regimes) for wood production and establishment of seedling hybrid clone populous nanozeolite application (1% w/w) could be used.