M. Dehghanian, M. Madandoost,
Volume 12, Issue 45 (fall 2008)
Abstract
In order to investigate the effect of zinc - chelate on drought tolerance of Azadi cross wheat, a randomized complete block design was conducted as split plot with three replicates in the Kherameh during 1383 - 1384. The main plot was four drought levels (control and drought stress in the stages of flowering, seed milk stage and two phases, together), and sub plot was zinc - chelate rates 0, 5, 10 & 15 kg per hectare. The results showed that zinc application under drought conditions increased spike per square meter significantly at the 5% level. Drought stress decreased 1000 - seed weight. Least of 1000 - grain weight was in two phases of flowering and seed milk stage together (29.78 g). The application of 15kg zinc -chelate fixed 1000 - seed weight. Treatments of drought stress decreased seed yield significantly (14.17% in the proportion of control), but zinc - chelate application increased wheat tolerance to seed yield decrease. Zinc - chelate application prevented from seed number decrease per wheat spike under drought conditions that was caused to tolerance of seed yield and harvest index decrease. The application of 15 kg zinc - chelate increased harvest index in comparison of control amount of 22%.