The effects of foliar application of chitosan on the morphological and chemical characters of French lavender against water deficiency

Abstract

French lavender has multiple biological qualities that are attributed to it being a source of natural products that are used for medicinal and food purposes. The rapid water loss in sandy reclamation soils in Egypt negatively affects the productivity of French lavender plants. Thus the aim of this trial was to evaluate the morphological and chemical measurements of French lavender treated with chitosan under various rates of water deficiency. Plants subjected to different rates of soil moisture at 100, 80, 60 and 40% corresponding to field water capacity without or with chitosan at 4 and 6 mg L−1 as foliar spray. Fresh and dry weights of aerial parts, essential oil compositions, photosynthetic pigments, phenols, flavonoids, free radical scavenging activity, proline, carbohydrates, protein and nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium) were measured. Obtained results were analyzed according to 2- ways analysis of variance. Plants treated with water deficiency levels and chitosan together gave higher values of morphological characters, photosynthetic pigments, phenols, flavonoids, proline, carbohydrates, protein and nutrients than those exposed to water deficiency treatments. On the other hand, chitosan × water deficiency treatments resulted in lower values of free radical scavenging activity than water deficiency doses. It may be concluded that application of chitosan to French lavender growing in reclaimed soils is considered a way to retain water and improve its productivity, which helps to expand its cultivation in arid regions as a source of natural products that are used in various pharmaceutical and food purposes.