Effect of Some Antioxidants on Growth, Certain Physiological Aspects, and Productivity of Cotton Grown Under Three Different Irrigation Intervals

Abstract

during the 2021 and 2022 seasons to study the effect of three levels of moringa leaves extract (MLE), and salicylic acid (SA) on growth, certain physiological aspects and productivity of cotton Super Giza 97 grown under three different irrigation intervals. A split plot design with three replicates was used. The obtained results indicated that cotton plants irrigated every 15 days and sprayed with moringa leaf extract at the high rate (15 %) two times significantly increased photosynthetic pigments, total carbohydrates, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium concentrations, total water content, and relative water content, growth traits, yield of seed cotton/feddan and yield components in both seasons. Meanwhile, the same treatment significantly decreased earliness%, plasma membrane permeability, the peroxidase and phenol oxidase activities as well as proline content. The longest fibers and highest strength were obtained from the plants irrigated every 15 days in only one season. It could be concluded that interaction treatment (irrigation every 15 days x spray with moringa leaves extract 15%) recorded the best results. In addition, spraying cotton plants irrigated every 30 days with moringa leaf extract at a high rate (15%) two times can be applied safely to minimize the negative impact of drought stress on cotton plants under conditions like the Sakha location.