Influence of micronutrients foliar application and nitrogen fertilization on wheat yield and quality of grain and seed

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted at Tag AL-Ezz, Agricultural Research Station Farm, Dakahlia Governorate, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt (+7 m altitude, 31°36' latitude and 30° 57' longitude), during 2005/2006 and 2006/2007 seasons to study the effect of foliar application with micronutrients (untreated (control), spraying with water. Cu, Mn. Fe and Zn at the rate of 500 ppm of each as well as the mixture of these 4 micronutrients at the rate of 500 ppm of each) under nitrogen levels 50, 70 and 90 kg N fed-1, as well as, their interactions on yield and its components, grains quality and chemical composition of wheat cultivar Giza 168. Also, a laboratory experiment was conducted at Seed Technology Research Unit at Mansoura, Dakahlia Governorate, Field Crops Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt. to determine germination percentage and seedling vigor tests (seed quality) of the resultant seed from field experiment. Results indicated that foliar application of the micronutrients mixture at the rate of 500 ppm produced the highest values of grain yield and its components. chemical composition as well as quality parameters of both grains and seed with significant differences compared with other foliar application treatments in both seasons. The second best treatment was the application of Zn followed by Mn in both seasons. Cu and Fe treatments were similar in their effects and the difference between them were insigniticant in most traits. The highest values of both straw and grain yields and yield components as well as quality parameters of grains and seed were resulted from increasing nitrogen levels up to 90 kg N fed-1 as compared with other levels (50 and 70 kg N fed-1) in both seasons. The results under the present conditions of Tag El-Ezz show that foliar application with mixture of micronutrients in addition to fertilizing with 90 kg N fed-1 can be maximize wheat straw and grain yields and gave the best quality parameter of both grains and seed. Moreover, it can be recommended that spraying wheat plants with Cu or Mn or Fe or Zn or mixture (at the rate of 500 ppm) and adding 70 kg N fed-1, which surpassed grain yield over untreated (control) + 90 kg N fed-1. © 2009 Asian Network for Scientitic Information.