Influence of zinc sulphate on flowering and seed production of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) A medicinal flowering plant

摘要

Soil pH less than 7 and non-availability of organic matters effects the availability of Zinc (Zn) in the soil. Due to the deficiency of Zn, a plant possibly becomes yellow and led to senescence causing chlorotic dieback. Therefore, an experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of foliar application of zinc sulphate on flowering and seed production of flax. Various concentrations of Zinc Sulphate i.e., 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5% and 2.0% were applied at various times i.e., 40, 50, 60 days after sowing. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with split plot arrangement having two factors, repeated three times. The results revealed that both the zinc sulphate concentrations and application time significantly influenced the growth and flowering variables of flax. Maximum value of plant height (79.6cm), stem diameter (4.4mm), number of tillers plant-1 (12.6), number of branches plant-1 (35.3), days to flowering (76.7), number of flowers plant-1 (252.3), number of capsule plant-1 (227.2), number of seed capsule-1 (8.2), 1000 seed weight (8.0g) were observed with 2.0% zinc sulphate application. However, application of time, 60 days after sowing resulted in maximum plant height (78.0 cm), stem diameter (4.5mm), number of tillers plant-1 (10.6), number of branches plant-1 (32.2), Days to flowering (73.3), number of flowers plant-1 (219.2), number of capsule plant-1 (189.9), number of seed capsule-1 (7.6) and 1000 seed weight (7.5g). It was concluded that flax plants could be sprayed at 2% zinc sulphate after 60 days of sowing for better growth and quality flower and seed production under the agro-climatic conditions of Peshawar- Pakistan.