Effect of Foliar Spraying and Drench Application of Urea on Transpiration and Water Use Efficiency in Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis) Under Water-Deficit Condition

Articles in Press

Document Type : Full Paper

Authors

1 Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran

2 Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord

Abstract

This study aimed to enhance water use management at the ornamental and medicinal plant, pot marigold (Calendula officinalis), response to urea nitrogen fertilizer under water deficit stress conditions at the Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University. The experiment was carried out using a factorial design in a completely randomized framework with three replications. Factors included water deficit stress was at three levels: 80% (control), 50% (mild stress), and 20% (severe stress) of available water and urea fertilizer was tested at five concentrations: 0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg/L, applied as both foliar sprays and drench treatments. The results demonstrated that water deficit stress reduced chlorophyll concentration, leaf area, leaf number, transpiration rate, photosynthesis rate, flower number, flower diameter, and flower longevity, while increasing water use efficiency. Further urea application significantly improved chlorophyll concentration, leaf area, leaf number, transpiration rate, photosynthesis rate, WUE (25.96%), flower diameter, flower longevity under all irrigation levels while the effect of urea on flower number was insignificant at any irrigation level. Generally, the findings highlighted that urea application, particularly at a concentration of 300 mg/L, by mitigating the negative effects of water deficit stress on transpiration and increasing photosynthesis and ultimately increasing plant biomass production enhanced water use efficiency, regardless of the application method.

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Iranian Journal of Horticultural Science

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 05 January 2026

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History

  • Receive Date: 11 February 2025
  • Revise Date: 29 November 2025
  • Accept Date: 19 December 2025

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