Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Assistant Professor, Soil and Water Research Department, Khouzestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center AREEO, Ahwaz, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Soil and Water Research Department, Isfahan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center AREEO, Isfahan, Iran
3 Researcher, Soil and Water Research Department, Khouzestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center AREEO, Ahwaz, Iran
Abstract
Introduction
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the important crops in our country. this plant contains starch, protein, sugar and provides food for human population. In recent years, drought stress has become the main abiotic stress, and could decrease growth and yield of wheat. The application of biostimulants, i.e. amino acids, fulvic acid or seaweed extract were found to positive effect on plant growth which overcomes the harmful effect of some environmental stress such as drought. In recent years, the favorable effects of these substances on vegetative characteristics, yield and grain quality of wheat have been reported. Many studies have shown that the application of biostimulants can increase plant tolerance during abiotic stresses, especially water deficit. Little research have been done about the effects of biostimulants on wheat in Khuzestan yet. Therefore, this experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of amini acid, fulvic acid and seaweed extract in drought stress on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of wheat.
Materials and methods
This experiment was conducted as split-plot in randomized complete block design with three replications at Behbahan Agricultural Research Station for one year (2017-2018). Irrigation interval considered as main factor in two levels: (70 mm and 130 mm evaporation from class A pan) and the sub factor was growth biostimulants in four levels :control (application of chemical fertilizers according to soil test), amino acid, fulvic acid and seaweed extract. Foliar application of amino ccid, fulvic acid and seaweed extract was done at a concentration of 0.5 % at two stages, tillering and heading. During experiment: plant height, number of spikes per m2, number of grain per spike, 1000- grain weight, grain yield, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, manganes and iron were recorded. Varince analysis were done by MSTATC statistical software and meanes were compared using Duncan,s Multiple Range Test.
Results and discussion
The results showed a significant increase in grain yield in plants treated with biostimulants compared with control. The highest plant height, number of spikes per m2, number of grain per spike, 1000-grain weight and grain yield were recorded in amino acid treatment. The highest increase in N, K and grain Fe was achieved by amino acid while the highest increase in P, Zn and Mn of grain was obtained by seaweed extract compared with control. The results indicated that water deficit stress significantly reduced plant height, number of spikes per m-2, 1000 seed weight, grain yield and nutrients. Also, drought stress significantly reduced grain nutrient uptake. Intreraction of the irrigation levels and biostimulants on grain yield indicated that all biostimulants significantly increased the yield in drought stress. The application of amino acids and seaweeds significantly increased grain yield in compared with both controls (under water deficit stress and under water normal conditions) while the use of fulvic acid significantly increased grain yield in comparison to control under water deficit stress. Therefore, the application of amino acid and seaweed extract reduced the effects of water deficit stress.
Conclusions
The results of this study showed that increasing water deficit stress caused significant reduction of all studied traits. However, the application of amino acid and seaweed extract reduced the effects of water deficit stress and increased these traits compared with control under favorable irrigation condition. According to the results, the application of amino acid or seaweed extract is recommended in normal and drought stress condition for wheat cv brat.
Keywords
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