Ali Reza Tavakoli; Reza Nosrati; Matin Jamaimoeini
Abstract
Heavy metals such as chromium are considered important pollutants for the environment and agricultural products. Many of these metals are toxic even in very low concentrations and may disrupt the growth process of crops. This study aims at comparing the response of different sesame cultivars to irrigation ...
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Heavy metals such as chromium are considered important pollutants for the environment and agricultural products. Many of these metals are toxic even in very low concentrations and may disrupt the growth process of crops. This study aims at comparing the response of different sesame cultivars to irrigation with different levels of chromium contaminated water. The experiment is carried out as factorial in a randomized complete block design with three replications in Mayamey, Semnan Province, Iran. Experimental factors include irrigation with different levels of chromium-contaminated water in 5 levels (20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%) and three sesame cultivars (Dashtestan, Oltan and local). The results indicate that irrigation with chromium-contaminated water significantly reduce the plant height and root length (p < 0.01), but have no significant effect on leaflet number and shoot fresh weight. The highest decrease in plant height and root length are observed under irrigation with 100% chromium-contaminated water. There has been a significant difference between sesame cultivars in relation to the growth characteristics. So, the Oltan cultivar has had the highest plant height, leaflet number, root length, and water productivity index compared to other cultivars. According to the results, high levels of chromium in irrigation water significantly reduce the growth of different cultivars.