GROWTH, NUTRIENTS UPTAKE AND GRAIN YIELD OF SOME WHEAT CULTIVARS AS AFFECTED BY ZINC APPLICATION UNDER SANDY SOIL CONDITIONS

Abstract

Two field experiments were carried out at Ismailia Exp. Sta., Agric. Res. Center, Ismailia governorate, during 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 seasons to study the influence of zinc application on growth, yield and yield components of some wheat (Triticum aesitivum L.) cultivars (Sakha-93, Sakha-94, Giza-168, Gemmeiza-9 and Gemmeiza-10). Three levels of Zn were applied: 0.0 (control), 1.5 and 3.0 kg Zn per Fed. Results showed that positive significant effects on growth traits, grain yield and its attributes was achieved by fertilizing wheat cultivars with 3.0 kg Zn/fed. Also, application of 3.0 kg Zn/fed. showed the highest values of P, K, Zn and Fe of shoot content. The largest flag leaf area was that of Sakha-93 and Gemmeiza-9 while, Giza-168 had superior shoot dry weight. Sakha-94 cultivar significantly surpasses all cultivars in plant height, while Gemmeiza-10 gave the highest number of spikes/m 2 , while 1000-grain weight of Sakha-93 was the largest. The highest grain yield was achieved with Sakha-94 and Gemmeiza-9.