Effects of different water stress levels applied in different growing stages on yield, morphologic and biochemical changes of broccoli (Brassica oleracea l. var. italica)

Considering global warming and limited water sources, in this research morphological and chemical changes due to the water shortages in different growing stages of broccoli were determined.According to the 3 years data; yield losses and physiological changes were observed due to the different irrigation regimes (treatments) (80%, 60%, 40% ve 20%) were applied in different growing stages (early vegetative, late vegetative, flowering stage) in randomized parcels with 5 replication.For this aim; not only total chlorophyll content (mg/100g), reduced and total sugar (mg/100g), total glucosinolate content (µmol/g), indigenous proline content (µmol/g), Vitamin C, A and E contents (mg/100g) but also effects of water stress on broccoli plants and losses on yield and quality parameters were determined. In spite of this, total irrigation water demand of broccoli plants through all vegetation period and optimum water demands were obtained.As a result of this study, most convenient and most vulnerable periods for water shortage was determined as early vegetative and flowering periods respectively.