Neda Amiri - Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, ShahidBahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
Najmeh Zeinalipour - Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, ShahidBahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
Zahra Pakkish - Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, ShahidBahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) is used as an aromatic and medicinal vegetable. Plant growth regulators improve plant performance under unfavorable conditions. In this study, the interaction effects of ۲۴-epibrassinolide (۰, ۰.۵ and ۱ µM) and three levels of drought stress (-۲, -۳.۵ and -۴.۵ bars) were investigated on growth parameters and coriander leaves essential oil. The highest main stem length, diameter, shoot fresh weight, and shoot dry weight were obtained by ۰.۵ µM of ۲۴-epibrassinolide (EBR) under -۳.۵ bar. Both ۰.۵ and ۱ µM concentrations of ۲۴-epibrassinolide protected leaves of chlorophyll a and b against the effects of water deficit. The plants under -۳.۵ and -۴.۵ bar water deficits showed more leaf electrolyte leakage compared to the control (-۲ bar). The highest percentage of all six measured essential oil components (linalool, (e)-۲-decenal, ۲-hexa-decenal, carvone, α-pinene and (E)-۲-dodecenal) were obtained under moderate and severe levels of regulated water deficit. Foliar spray of EBR ۰.۵µM under severe drought stress with -۴.۵ bar of matric potential increased the main essential oil compositions such as linalool, (E)-۲-decenal and (E)-۲-hexa-decenal.

۲۴-epibrassinolide, Coriander essential oils, Linalool, drought stress, ۲۴-epibrassinolide, Coriander essential oils, Linalool, drought stress