Influence of antioxidants on wheat productivity, quality and seed-borne fungi management under NPK fertilization Levels

Abstract

In order to study the effects of seed soaking and foliar spraying with antioxidants under nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) fertilization levels on wheat growth, yields and its components, grains quality and diseases management, an experiment was conducted at Tag AL-Ezz, Agricultural Research Station Farm, Dakahlia Governorate, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt, during 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 seasons. A strip-split plot design with four replications was used. Where, the vertical-plots were included seed soaking treatments while the horizontal-plots were devoted to foliar spraying treatments. The sub-plots were allocated to nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) fertilization levels. Results showed that highest values of growth, yields and its attributes and grains quality were resulted from seed soaking in Salicylic Acid (SA) at the level of 300 ppm. However, untreated seeds resulted the lowest values of these. Foliar spraying with SA produced the highest values of growth, yields and its attributes and grain quality compared with other foliar spraying treatments. Highest growth, yields and its attributes and grain quality were obtained from increasing NPK fertilization levels up to 100% of the recommended dose. In general, it could be indicated that soaking in SA at the level of 300 ppm and spraying plants with SA at the level of 150 ppm beside fertilization with 80.0 kg N+22.5 kg P 2 O 5 +24.0 K 2 O/fed maximized wheat growth, yields and its components as well as grain quality. However, it could be recommended that soaking seeds in SA and foliar spraying plants with SA and fertilization with 80% of the recommended dose of NPK which exceeded grain yield and its quality upon the control treatment (untreated seeds before sowing and without foliar spraying with antioxidants and mineral fertilization with 100% of the recommended dose of NPK fertilizers) to reduce soil pollution with mineral fertilizers.