ABSTRACT

Introduction

Camelina is a low-input, high-oil crop, yet the effects of anti-transpirants on it under varying sowing dates remain unexplored. This study investigated the impact of anti-transpirants on biochemical traits, antioxidant activity, and oil quantity/quality of Camelina across different sowing dates.

Method

The experiment used a split-plot randomized complete block design with three replications. Main factors were four sowing dates (April 4, April 19, May 5, May 20), and sub-factors were five anti-transpirant treatments (salicylic acid, zinc sulfate, control, paclobutrazol, atrazine).

Results

Results indicated a significant interaction between sowing date and anti-transpirants on seed yield. The highest yield (1207.5 kg/ha) occurred on April 19 with salicylic acid, 43% higher than the lowest yield (710.9 kg/ha) on May 20 with atrazine. Zinc sulfate and salicylic acid consistently improved yield across all dates. Furthermore, the interaction effect on proline content was significant; the highest proline (2.69 µmol/g fresh weight) was observed on May 20 with zinc sulfate, 42% higher than the control on April 4. Anti-transpirants also significantly affected carotenoid content, peaking with salicylic acid (5.37 mg/g) and lowest with atrazine (4.96 mg/g).

Conclusion

Late sowing reduced Camelina’s quantitative and qualitative yields due to end-of-season heat stress. However, applying anti-transpirants, particularly zinc sulfate and salicylic acid, mitigated this stress by enhancing enzymatic activity (e.g., catalase), thereby improving seed and biological yields.