EFFECTS OF COMPOST AND ZINC APPLICATION ON THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF CANOLA UNDER WATER STRESS CONDITION

Drought stress leads to reduce the seed quality of oil seed crops and minimizes plant growth by affecting different physiological and biochemical processes, such as nutrient metabolism and ions uptake. Field experiment was carried out at the Research and Production Station of the National Research Centre, Nubaria region, Behira Governorate, Egypt during 2020/2021 to study the effects of soil application of compost and zinc foliar application on nutrient content, chemical constitute of canola plants grown under water stress conditions. Results indicated that increasing compost application rates was associated with increasing of nitrogen content of canola grains, shoots and roots wither under sufficient irrigation or water stress treatments. The highest values of phosphorus and potassium in canola organs registered for the treatment receiving 6 ton fed-1 compost combined with 100 ppm zinc foliar spray and the lowest values recorded for control treatment. The micronutrient content of canola organs improved due to compost and Zn application under water stress. Also, there was a remarkable increase in the oil content, carbohydrate, protein and antioxidant activity of canola seeds due to application of compost (6 ton fed-1) with the foliar application of zinc sulfate (100 ppm Zn) and the lowest values of these phyto-chemical constituents was observed in control treatment under sufficient irrigation and water stress conditions. Results concluded that, the combined application of compost and zinc is important for enhancing the nutritional status and seed quality parameters of canola under water stress condition.