Drought stress is a serious threat for sustainable crop production throughout the world especially in arid and semi-arid regions and one of the main constraints to sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) production. Different mitigation strategies, including foliar spray of osmolytes such as β-aminobutyric acid (BABA), help the crop to combat drought conditions. A 2-year field study was conducted to evaluate the effect of exogenous application of BABA on the growth, productivity, and net return of sunflower under drought conditions. The experimental treatments comprised drought levels, viz., control (well watered (WW)); drought stress at vegetative stage (DVS); and drought stress at reproductive stage (DRS). Drought-mitigating treatments comprised foliar application of BABA, viz., 0 mM (control), 25 mM, 50 mM, and 75 mM with three replications. Foliar application of BABA under drought condition had significant effect on physiological traits, yield, and yield-related traits. Foliar application of 75-mM BABA solution improved SPAD–chlorophyll value and membrane stability index and maintained higher relative water contents. It also improved 1000-achene weight and achene yield, and produced about 41% and 44% more achene yield during 2018 and 2019 respectively compared with other treatments. Significant and positive correlations were also observed between yield and yield-contributing traits of sunflower under different water stress conditions. This finding suggests that foliar application of 75-mM BABA may be used as a viable option for sunflower growers to enhance achene yield and net benefit under drought conditions in arid and semi-arid regions.

干旱压力是对全世界可持续作物生产的严重威胁，特别是在干旱和半干旱地区，也是向日葵（向日葵（向日葵）的主要限制之一）L.）生产。叶面喷洒渗透液（例如β-氨基丁酸（BABA））等不同的缓解策略有助于作物抗旱。进行了为期两年的田间研究，以评估在干旱条件下外源施用BABA对向日葵生长，生产力和净回报的影响。实验处理包括干旱水平，即对照（浇水充足（WW））。营养期干旱（DVS）；和生殖阶段的干旱压力（DRS）。减轻干旱的处理包括叶面施用BABA，即0 mM（对照），25 mM，50 mM和75 mM，重复三次。在干旱条件下叶面施用BABA对生理性状，产量和产量相关性状都有显着影响。75 mM BABA溶液的叶面施用可提高SPAD–叶绿素值和膜稳定性指数，并保持较高的相对含水量。与其他处理相比，它还改善了1000 during烯的重量和瘦果产量，并在2018年和2019年分别产生了约41％和44％的瘦果产量。在不同水分胁迫条件下，向日葵的产量与贡献性状之间也存在显着正相关。这一发现表明，在干旱和半干旱地区干旱条件下，叶面施用75 mM BABA可以作为向日葵种植者提高瘦果产量和净收益的可行选择。与其他疗法相比，2018年和2019年的瘦果产量分别提高了约41％和44％。在不同水分胁迫条件下，向日葵的产量与贡献性状之间也存在显着正相关。这一发现表明，在干旱和半干旱地区干旱条件下，叶面施用75 mM BABA可以作为向日葵种植者提高瘦果产量和净收益的可行选择。与其他疗法相比，2018年和2019年的瘦果产量分别提高了约41％和44％。在不同水分胁迫条件下，向日葵的产量与贡献性状之间也存在显着正相关。这一发现表明，在干旱和半干旱地区干旱条件下，叶面施用75 mM BABA可以作为向日葵种植者提高瘦果产量和净收益的可行选择。