(Azospillium, nutrient solution and biocide) on growth, yield and yield attributes of some wheat ... after sowing (DAS), except dry weight of spikes/m and dry weight of blades /m at 90 DAS as well as dry. 2. 2 ...... New York, Basel, Hong Kong.
World Journal of Agricultural Sciences 9 (4): 345-353, 2013 ISSN 1817-3047 © IDOSI Publications, 2013 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wjas.2013.9.4.1760
Comparative Efficacy of Different Bio-Chemical Foliar Applications on Growth, Yield and Yield Attributes of Some Wheat Cultivars S.F. El Habbasha, M.M. Tawfik and M.F. El Kramany Department of Field Crops Research, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt Abstract: Production of wheat in old lands still not enough to meet the food demand of the ever-increasing population, so increase of areas and productivity of wheat in the new cultivated lands are considered one of the important ways for narrowing the wheat gap in Egypt. To achieve the aforementioned objectives, two field experiments were carried out at the Agricultural Production and Research Station, National Research Centre (NRC), El Nubaria Province, Egypt during the two successive winter seasons 2010/2011 and 2011/2012. The aim of this research was to study the impact of comparative efficacy of different bio-chemical foliar applications (Azospillium, nutrient solution and biocide) on growth, yield and yield attributes of some wheat cultivars (Sakha 93 and Sakha 94). The results show significant differences between the two cultivars at 90 and 120 days after sowing (DAS), except dry weight of spikes/m2 and dry weight of blades /m2 at 90 DAS as well as dry weight of blades/m2 and blades area/m2 at 120 DAS. Significant differences between Azospillium, nutrient solution and biocide compound were observed in all studied growth characters. Significant differences between wheat cultivars (Sakha 93 and Sakha 94) in most of studied characters of yield and yield attributes except, spike length, number of spikelets/spike, number of gains/spikelet, seed index, harvest index and seed protein content. Spraying wheat with Azospillium, nutrient solution and biocide compound shows significant differences in most yield and yield attributes except, number of grains/spikelet, seed index, harvest index and grain protein content The interaction effect between wheat cultivars (Sakha 93 and Sakha 94), Azospillium, nutrient solution and biocide compound shows significant differences in most yield and yield attributes except, spike length, number of spikelets/spike, number of grains/spikelet and harvest index. Key words: Biochemical foliar application
Growth
Wheat
INTRODUCTION
Yield and yield attributes
where, the imported amount in 2011 was 9.8 M tons, while, the total annual production was 8.4 M tones [1]. Wheat cultivars production is one of the most important factors for increasing wheat production, where it differs in yield and its components [2, 3]. Grain, straw and biological yields and its components were significantly differed owing to variety [4, 5]. Macro and micronutrients deficiencies have been reported for different soils and crops [6, 7]. However, cereals are the main staple for human beings. Unfortunately, the concentrations of bio-available Zn and Fe in grains are rather low; in addition, anti-nutrients such as phytic acid reduce the absorption of both Fe and Zn into the body. The nutritional value of grains may be enhanced by increasing accumulation without reducing the availability of the metals or by increasing their
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the third mostproduced cereal in the world after maize and rice, but in terms of dietary intake, it is currently second to rice as the main food crop, while in Egypt it is considered the first strategic food crop. As a hardy crop, this can grow in a wide range of environmental conditions and that permits large-scale cultivation as well as long-term storage of food. Currently, around 70 % of this crop is used for food, 19 % for animal feed and the remaining 11% is used in industrial applications, including biofuels. Egypt suffers from food shortage problem as a result for a huge increment of population and the huge loss of agricultural soils due to desertification and erosion problems. It is considered the biggest importer of wheat in the world
Corresponding Author: S.F. El Habbasha, Department of Field Crops Research, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
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World J. Agric. Sci., 9 (4): 345-353, 2013
bioavailability [8]. Besides the three macro elements (N, P and K) essential microelements are inevitable. Because of their function in the enzyme activity we have to give priority to the essential microelements copper and zinc in the nutrient supply of soil and plants. Their lack greatly influences both the quantity and the quality of plant products. Increased crop response has been reported for application of different macro and micronutrients [9, 10]. Chaudhry and Loneragan [11] reported integrated application of micronutrients along with macronutrients to avoid micronutrients deficiency. The highest yield was obtained by adding all the micronutrients to NPK fertilizer [12]. NPK+ micronutrients significantly increased protein content of wheat kernel from 11.66% to 12.01% [13]. Arif et al. [14] and Ali et al. [15] also reported better crop production for foliar application of a both macro and micronutrients in combination. Copper as an essential micronutrient for normal growth and metabolism of plants is well documented [16, 17], it was proved in forming of more than 200 enzymes [18]. Lack of copper hinders nitrogen uptake and consequently protein synthesis. It plays an important role in transpiration metabolism and electron transport. Kumar et al. [19] concluded that Cu fluxes and it’s interactions with other micronutrients (Fe, Mn and Zn) affect the growth and yield of wheat plants. Six micronutrients i.e. Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, B and Mo are known to be required for all higher plants [20]. These have been well documented to be involved in photosynthesis, N-fixation, respiration and other biochemical pathways [21]. Abbas et al. [22] found that Zn application was statistically significant on spike length. Also, higher level of Zn application influenced the number of spikelet/spike, 1000-grain weight and straw yield. Zeidan et al. [23] reported that Fe and Zn spray improved wheat yield and yield components compared to control. They added that, the highest spikelet number/m2, grain number per spike, single-grain weight and straw yield were obtained from plants treated with Zn fertilizer. Biofertilizers are well recognized as an important component of integrated plant nutrient management for sustainable agriculture production; hold a great promise to improve crop yield and safe the environment. In the last few years much attention has been paid to non-symbiotic microorganisms fixing nitrogen. It is known that Azospirillum bacteria fix nitrogen [24], the effects of Azospirillum using IAA which increases root hairs and branching [25]. Kolb and Martin [26] have shown that spraying a solution of 10 g l 1 IAA on roots of wheat
growing in root boxes resulted in a significant increase in root length which mimicked Azospirillum inoculation. Azospirilla-inoculated crops have shown significantly increased yields accompanied by better water and mineral uptake and improvement in root morphology and growth [27, 28]. Zambere et al. [29] concluded that separate application of Aztobacter and Azospirillum increased grain yield by 19.2 and 25.8%, respectively compared with control and with their mixture under the application of 120 kg N/ha produced the highest grain yield. Ravikumar et al. [30] reported that the effect of Azobacter on leaf area was significant compared with control. Khavazi et al. [31] showed wheat yield improvement as a result of application of Azospirillum inoculums. This study was carried out to investigate the impact of comparative effectiveness of different bio-chemical foliar applications on growth, yield and yield attributes of wheat cultivars. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two field experiments were carried out at the Agricultural Production and Research Station, National Research Centre (NRC), El Nubaria Province, Egypt, during the two successive winter seasons 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 to investigate the impact of comparative efficacy of different bio-chemical foliar applications on growth, yield and yield attributes of some wheat cultivars (Sakha 93 and Sakha 94). Soil sample was taken at depth from 0- 20 and 20-40 cm for physical and chemical analyses as described by Chapaman and Pratt [32] (Table 1). A split plot design with three replicates was used where wheat cultivars (Saka 93 and Saka 94) was allocated in the main plots, while the bio-chemical foliar application treatments (control, Azospillium, nutrient solution and biocide compound) were applied in the subplot. The chemical analysis of nutrient solution and biocide compound are illustrated in Tables 2 and 3. The experimental unit consisted of 15 rows each of 3.5 meter length and 20 cm between rows where, the size of each plot was 10.5 m2 (1/400 faddan, one faddan =0.42 ha), seed rate of wheat cultivars (Sakha 93 and Sakha 94) was 60 kg/faddan. Planting dates were on 17th and 20th November in 1 st and 2nd season, respectively. The recommended dose of chemical fertilizer were added as positive control i.e. nitrogen fertilizer was added at a rate of 100 kg/faddan as ammonium sulfate (20.6 % N), it added in four equal doses every week till 45 days after sowing, while phosphorus and potassium were added at a rate 346
World J. Agric. Sci., 9 (4): 345-353, 2013 Table 1: Physical and chemical analyses of soil
Depth
Chemical properties ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------CaCO3 % EC (dSm 1) pH (1:2.5) OM (%)
Physical properties ---------------------------------------------------------Course sand Fine sand Clay + Silt
0-20 20-40
7.02 2.34
2.49 3.72
0.35 0.32
8.7 8.8
0.65 0.40
Value
Macronutrients (ppm) N K Na Ca
400 1000 60 550
Micronutrients (ppm) Zn Mn Fe Cu
600 800 100 50
Value
Macronutrients (%) N P K Na Ca Mg
-1.56 0.34 3.00 6.00 0.30
Micronutrients (ppm) Zn Mn Fe Cu
164 215 657 51
Texture Sandy
Statistical Analysis: Data were subjected to statistical analysis of variance as described by Snedecor and Cochran [33]. Since the trend was similar in both seasons the homogeneity test Bartlet's equation was applied and the combined analysis of the two seasons results were conducted according to the method adopted by Steel and Torrie [34]. Mean values of the recorded data were compared by using the least significant differences (L.S.D 0.05).
Table 3: Chemical composition of biocide compound Variables
47.76 56.72
converted to yield per faddan. Total N-content in seeds was determined and protein% was calculated by multiplying N-content by 6.25 according to Chapman and Pratt [32].
Table 2: Chemical analysis of nutrient solution Variables
49.75 39.56
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Effect of Different Cultivars Performance on Some Growth Characters: All growth characters evaluated (Table 4) were significantly differed in the two studied cultivars at 90 and 120 days after sowing (DAS), except dry weight of spikes/m2 and dry weight of blades /m2 at 90 DAS and dry weight of blades /m2 and blades area/m2 at 120 DAS. However, Sakha 93 surpassed Sakha 94 in number of spikes/m2 (471.56), dry weight of blades/m2 (387.81) and blades area/m2 in 90 days after sowing and dry weight of blades/m2 (385.12) and blades area/m 2 at 120 DAS, while Sakha 94 surpassed in plant height in both samples and number of spikes/m2 and dry weight of spikes/m2. These results are in agreement with those obtained by Metwally et al. [2], Sultan et al. [3] and El-Habbasha [35].
of 100 kg/faddan for both calcium superphosphate (15.5 % P2O ) 5 and potassium sulfate (48 % K O),2 respectively at seed bed preparation. The bio-chemical foliar application treatments (Azospillium, nutrient solution and biocide compound) were applied by spraying at 30 and 60 days after sowing (DAS). Normal cultural practices of growing wheat conducted in the usual manner by the farmers of this district were followed. Two random samples of 25 cm length x 40 cm width from each plot were taken at 90 and 120 days after sowing to determine plant height (cm), number of spikes /m2, dry weight of spike/m2, dry weight of blades/m2 and blades area/m2. At harvest, a random sample of 25 cm length x 40 cm width was taken from each plot to determine, plant height, dry weight of spikes/m2, spike length, number of grains /spike, number of spikelets/ spike, number of grains /spikelet, seed index and harvest index. In addition, grain, straw and biological yields (ton/faddan) were determined from the whole area of experimental unit and then
Effect of Different Bio-Chemical Foliar Applications on Growth Characteristics of Some Wheat Cultivars: Data presented in Table 5 illustrate the effect of Azospillium, nutrient solution and biocide compound on growth characters of wheat cultivars. Significant differences between treatments were observed in all studied growth characters where, nutrient solution records the highest values of the studied growth characters in both vegetable samples (90 and 120 DAS) with significant differences with the other treatments. Treatment with nutrient solution records increment in number of spikes/m2 and dry 347
World J. Agric. Sci., 9 (4): 345-353, 2013 Table 4: Effect of different cultivars performance on some growth characters at 90 and 120 days from sowing (combined data of 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 seasons)
Cultivars
90 days after sowing ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Plant No of Dry weight Dry weight Blades area height (cm) spikes/m2 of spikes/m 2 (g) of blades/m 2 (g) cm 2/m 2
120 days after sowing --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Plant No. of Dry weight Dry weight Blades area height (cm) spikes/m 2 of spikes/m 2 (g) of blades/m 2 (g) cm 2/m 2
Sakha 93 Sakha 94
116.09 118.02
471.56 448.87
300.46 301.56
387.81 377.33
73304.16 72348.89
124.26 126.46
539.61 551.68
787.09 807.07
385.12 383.42
70427.27 70386.47
LSD 0.05
1.89
7.80
NS
NS
867.45
1.39
4.94
8.94
NS
NS
Table 5: Effect of different bio-chemical foliar applications on growth characteristics of some wheat cultivars at 90 and 120 days after sowing (combined data of 2010/2011 and 2011/2012seasons) 90 days after sowing
120 days after sowing
Characters -------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Plant No. of Dry weight Dry weight Blades area
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Plant No. of Dry weight Dry weight Blades area height (cm)
Treatments
height (cm)
of spikes/m2 (g)
of blades/m2 (g)
of spikes/m2 (g)
of blades/m2 (g)
Control Azospillium
114.88 117.29
411.23 493.28
284.68 306.51
347.38 404.36
67437.82 75688.25
123.57 126.46
531.89 548.78
755.84 802.50
343.18 405.09
65989.38 72309.59
Nutrient solution Biocide compound
119.71 116.33
515.96 420.40
313.99 298.85
435.33 363.22
76845.56 71334.47
129.36 124.05
577.26 524.65
844.49 785.50
423.71 365.11
73075.89 70952.62
0.71
3.49
4.71
2.47
764.03
1.35
4.16
7.30
6.53 709.26
LSD 0.05
spikes/m2
cm2/m2
spikes/m2
cm2/m2
Table 6: Effect of interaction between wheat cultivars and different bio-chemical foliar applications on growth characters at 90 and 120 days after sowing (combined data of 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 seasons) Characters ------------Treatments Sakha 93
Sakha 94
LSD 0.05
90 days after sowing
120 days after sowing
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Plant No. of Dry weight Dry weight Blades area
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Plant No. of Dry weight Dry weight Blades area
height (cm)
height (cm)
of spikes/m2 (g)
of blades/m2 (g)
Control Azospillium
114.39 117.29
spikes/m2 421.36 506.31
of spikes/m2 (g) 287.41 310.08
of blades/m2 (g) 343.65 400.72
67161.73 76221.10
123.08 125.01
528.51 545.88
745.36 786.55
349.75 397.22
66195.95 70428.98
Nutrient solution Biocide compound
118.26 114.39
526.58 431.98
316.77 293.57
438.08 368.79
77089.97 72743.81
128.87 124.05
566.22 519.82
840.61 775.85
417.98 365.55
73131.86 71952.30
Control
115.36
401.09
281.95
351.10
67713.87
124.05
535.27
766.32
346.61
65782.81
Azospillium Nutrient solution
117.29 121.15
480.24 515.34
308.94 311.20
407.99 432.58
75155.41 76601.15
127.91 129.84
551.68 570.29
818.45 848.37
412.96 429.43
74190.20 73019.92
Biocide compound
118.26
408.81
304.13
357.65
69925.13
124.05
529.47
795.15
354.68
68752.94
1.30
14.94
2.41
3.49
1080.50
1.49
5.89
10.33
3.58
1003.04
weight of spikes/m2 by 25.46, 10.29% and 8.53, 11.73% at 90 and 120 DAS, respectively compared with the control, while Azospillium records increment in number of spikes/m2 and dry weight of spikes/m2 by 19.95, 7.67% and 3.17, 6.17 % at 90 and 120 DAS, respectively compared with the control treatment. Thus, bacteria of the genus Azospirillum can act on plant growth through reduction of NO3- in roots [36], resulting in the decrease of energy given off to the reduction of NO3- to NH4+, thus, the energy could be channeled to other vital processes of metabolism. The diazotrophs exert any influence on glutamine synthase activity in roots of grass plants, as well as inoculation with Azospirillum alters the morphology of the root, by increasing the lateral roots and root hairs were attributed to production of auxins by bacteria [37]. Moreover, Azospillium synthesize phytohormones- auxins, chiefly indole acetic acid, gibberellins, cytokinins and other biologically active substances, which have not been identified yet [38, 39] and stimulate both rates of root elongation and
cm2/m2
spikes/m2
cm2/m2
appearance of lateral and adventitious roots [40]. Given the role of Fe in chlorophyll formation, photosynthesis [41] and the role of Zn in the production of auxin and photosynthesis [42] and intermediating various metabolic activities and its effect on the activities of hydrogenase and carbonic anhydrase, the synthesis of cytochrome and the sustainability of ribosome functions and auxin metabolism [43], the availability of Fe and Zn can improve vegetative growth and plant biomass. Effect of Interaction Between Wheat cultivars and Different Bio-Chemical Foliar Applications on Growth Characters: The interaction between wheat cultivars (Sakha 93 and Sakha 94) and foliar treatments with (Azospillium, nutrient solution and biocide compound) shows significant differences in all growth characteristics of wheat cultivars at 90 and 120 DAS (Table 6). Where, Sakha 94 sprayed with nutrient solution records the highest plant height at 90 DAS and number of spikes/m2, dry weight of spikes/m2 and dry weight of blades/m2 at 348
World J. Agric. Sci., 9 (4): 345-353, 2013 Table 7: Effect of different cultivars performance on yield and yield attributes (combined data of 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 seasons) Cultivars
Plant Dry weight Spike height (cm) of spikes/m2 (g) length (cm)
No. of No. of No of Seed Grain grains/ spike spikelets / spike grains/ spikelet index (g) yield (t/faddan)
Straw yield (t/faddan)
Biological yield (t/faddan)
Harvest index %
Grain protein (%)
Sakha 93
127.48
830.14
16.65
60.93
22.57
2.85
55.40
2.15
5.88
8.03
0.26
11.54
Sakha 94
129.92
851.77
16.87
64.03
22.85
2.98
55.35
2.21
6.01
8.22
0.26
10.45
LSD 0.05
0.48
8.29
NS
1.20
NS
NS
NS
0.01
0.06
0.07
NS
NS
Table 8: Effect of different bio-chemical foliar applications on yield and yield attributes of wheat cultivars (combined data of 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 seasons) Characters ----------------Treatments
Plant Dry weight Spike No. of No. of No. of Seed Grain Straw Biological Harvest Grain height (cm) of spikes/m2 (g) length (cm) grains/ spike spikelets / spike grains/ spikelet index (g) yield (t/faddan) yield (t/faddan) yield (t/faddan) index % protein (%)
Control
126.75
835.97
16.08
52.92
21.78
2.56
55.05
1.91
5.62
7.53
0.26
11.30
Azospillium Nutrient solution
129.19 131.63
844.10 856.35
16.83 17.56
64.06 69.36
22.74 23.65
3.06 3.09
55.50 56.03
2.20 2.35
5.93 6.52
8.14 8.87
0.27 0.26
11.64 10.91
Biocide compound
127.24
827.41
16.56
63.56
22.68
2.96
54.92
2.17
5.71
7.88
0.27
11.12
LSD 0.05
3.16
7.69
1.46
1.04
1.82
NS
NS
0.11
0.25
0.42
NS
NS
120 DAS, while, treatment Sakha 93 with nutrient solution recorded the highest values of number of spikes/m2, dry weight of spikes/m2 and dry weight of blades/m 2 at 90 DAS with insignificant differences between the both treatments in number of spikes/m2 at 90 DAS and number of spikes/m2 and dry weight of spikes/m2 at 120 DAS. Canbolat et al. [44] and Elkoca et al. [45], found that insignificant differences in root and shoot biomass of barley when inoculant alone or fertilizer alone was used.
tended to increase in seed, straw and biological yield/faddan over the control treatment, these increases amounted to 15.18, 5.51 and 8.10 % for seed, straw and biological yield/faddan, respectively with foliar application of Azospillium, while these increases were 23.03, 16.01 and 17.79 % when sprayed with nutrient solution and 13.61, 1.60 and 4.64 % when sprayed with biocide compound for the previous characters, respectively. These grain yield increases, caused by the inoculation with Azospirillum are not just related with the capacity that these bacteria can fix the atmospheric nitrogen but also, due to the production of plant growth promoting substances. These phytohormones promote the root growth of the plants, consequently increasing nutrients and water absorption areas [46-49]. Given the role of Fe in chlorophyll formation and the role of Zn in auxin production which is accompanied with cell division and elongation as well as the role of both of them in photosynthesis, their application can result in the formation of longer spikes [42] and its intermediating role in various metabolic activities [43] are some of the factors which can explain why Zn application enhances spikelet formation and/or increases their fertility. Similarly, Soleimani [50] reported increase in biological yield for foliar application of zinc. The results also are in agreement with Torun et al. [51] and Grewal et al. [52], who reported increased dry matter production for application of micronutrients over control. The increase in seed, straw and biological yields/ faddan recorded by nutrient solution was accompaniment with the increase in dry weight of spikes/m2, spike length and number of grains/spike. These results are in harmony with Zeidan et al. [23], who reported that Fe and Zn spray improved wheat yield and yield components compared to control and that the highest spikelet number per m 2, grain number per spike, single-grain weight and straw yield were obtained from plants treated with Zn fertilizer.
Effect of Different cultivars Performance on Yield and Yield Attributes: Data presented in Table 7 indicated that a significant differences between wheat cultivars (Sakha 93 and Sakha 94) in most of studied characters of the yield and yield attributes except, spike length, number of spikelet/spike, number of gains/spikelet, seed index, harvest index and seed protein content. Whereas, Sakha 94 surpassed Sakha 93 in plant length, weight of spikes/m2, number of grains/spike, grain, straw and biological yield/faddan while, Sakha 93 surpassed Sakha 94 in seed protein content. In general these results are in harmony with those obtained by Abdel-Ati and Zaki [5], who reported that grain, straw, biological yields and yield components were significantly differed owing to variety. Effect of Different Bio-Chemical Foliar Applications on Yield and Yield Attributes of Some wheat Cultivars: Spraying wheat cultivars by Azospillium, nutrient solution and biocide compound shows significant differences in most yield and yield attributes except, number of grains/spikelet, seed index, harvest index and grain protein content where treatment nutrient solution records the highest values of most studied characters with significant differences with the other treatments except, Azospillium, in plant length, spike length and number of spikelet/spike (Table 8). The use of Azospillium, nutrient solution and biocide compound 349
World J. Agric. Sci., 9 (4): 345-353, 2013 Table 9: Effect of interaction between varietal differences and different bio-chemical foliar applications on yield and yield attributes of wheat (combined data of 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 seasons) Characters ------------Treatments Sakha 93
Sakha 94
LSD 0.05
Plant Dry weight Spike No. of No. of No. of Seed Grain height (cm) of spikes/m2 (g) length (cm) grains/ spike spikelets / spike grains/ spikelet index (g) yield (t/faddan)
Straw Biological yield (t/faddan) yield (t/faddan)
Harvest index %
Control
124.31
826.67
16.38
51.22
21.63
2.48
55.32
1.95
5.68
7.64
0.25
Azospillium Nutrient solution
128.21 131.14
830.97 845.62
16.42 17.40
61.47 68.96
22.25 24.16
2.95 3.00
55.72 56.11
2.28 2.22
5.88 6.11
8.16 8.33
0.27 0.26
Biocide compound 126.26
817.31
16.38
62.06
22.25
2.95
54.45
2.19
5.52
7.71
0.28
Control Azospillium
129.19 130.16
845.27 857.23
15.77 17.24
54.63 66.65
21.93 23.23
2.64 3.16
54.78 55.28
2.04 2.13
5.55 5.98
7.60 8.11
0.26 0.26
Nutrient solution 132.11 Biocide compound 128.21
867.08 837.50
17.32 16.74
69.76 65.06
23.14 23.11
3.17 2.97
55.94 55.39
2.28 2.16
6.08 5.89
8.36 8.05
0.27 0.26
10.87
NS
1.47
NS
NS
2.06
0.18
0.33
0.48
NS
2.51
Fig. 1: Effect of interaction between cultivars and different bio-chemical foliar applications on seed protein content Effect of Interaction Between Wheat Cultivars and Different Bio-Chemical Foliar Applications on Yield and Yield Attributes of Wheat Cultivars: The interaction between wheat cultivars (Sakha 93 and Sakha 94) and spraying with (Azospillium, nutrient solution and biocide compound) shows significant differences in most yield and yield attributes except, spike length, number of spikelet/spike, number of grains/spikelet and harvest index (Table 9). Whereas, Sakha 94 sprayed with nutrient solution records the highest values for plant height (132.11 cm), dry weight of spikes/m2 (867.08 g), number of grains/spike (69.76), grain yield/faddan (2.28 ton/faddan) and biological yield /faddan (8.36 ton/faddan) while, the treatment Sakha 93 with nutrient solution shows increase in spike length (17.40 cm), number of spikelet/spike (24.16), seed index (56.11 g) and straw yield/faddan (6.11 ton/faddan) with no significant differences between both treatments in most studied characters except, dry weight of spikes/m2. The increase in 1000-grain weight of wheat resulted from the application of Fe and Zn micronutrients has been reported by Ziaeian and Malakoti [53], who pointed that the increase in single-grain weight was resulted from the positive effects of these micronutrients on post-anthesis photosynthesis and the remobilization of dry matter to grains which finally led to the increase in 1000-grain weight. Khan et al. [54] found that the application of Shelter (micronutrients mixture,
containing Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu and B) significantly improved the number of grains per spike, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, straw yield, biological yield and harvest index of wheat. Data presented in Fig. 1 show the interaction between wheat cultivars and bio-chemical foliar application on seed protein content, no significant differences between treatments were observed. Spraying Sakha 93 with nutrient solution records the highest value of seed protein content followed by treatment Sakha 94 with nutrient solution and Sakha 94 sprayed with Azospillium while, the lowest value of seed protein content recorded by the treatment Sakha 94 sprayed with biocide compound. REFERENCES 1. 2.
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