Jojoba Seed Yield Response to Water Stress under Circumstances of Sinai

Abstract

Aims: This study aims to evaluate the five clones of jojoba plant under the influence of irrigation intervals and the impact on growth and yield of chemical content. Study Design:  Two field experiments were carried out for five clones (S-L, S-610, S- 700, S-B and S-G), to study the effect of irrigation intervals;  one week (control), two weeks and three weeks) on jojoba plants at aged three and thirteen years from planting to investigation growth, yield characters and content seed from oil and some chemical contents. Place and Duration of Study: Almaghara Research and Production Station (latitude: 30,717993''N, longitude: 33, 329103 E) which follow Desert Research Center, Agriculture Ministry, Egypt, at 2015l2016 and 2016/2017 respectively. Methodology: The experimental rows (5 plants) were assigned for each clone in three replications. The farming distances were 4 x 2 meters. Mixed seedlings of both females and males were planted at a rate of one male seedling for every six female seedlings to allow cross-fertilization of each clone. All clones were treatment at three times (October, March and April). The plants were collected on 22nd April to determine the growth, yield characters and some chemical content.   Statistical analyses and mean comparisons were conducted using MSTATC software. Results: The jojoba plant was affected by increased irrigation interval, and it was clear in all clones. Irrigation every three weeks had an impact of irrigation every week. The effect of irrigation interval varied from one clone to another and the lowest was s-700. The older seedlings are less affected by irrigation interval than small seedlings. The best results were category s-700 at the age of thirteen years and irrigation every two weeks. Conclusion: All variable of studied confirmed that clones of jojoba had a significant effect with irrigation interval at one week but decrease value at three weeks. Jojoba plants tolerance to water stress but irrigation interval every week increased seed yield.