Effect of Zinc and Potassium on Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristics of Yield and Cold Resistance Improvement in Wheat

Yield and growth of plants may be reduced due to low metabolic rate in cold climate. Many studies have indicated that cold resistance will increase with the use of nutrient elements in wheat. In order to study the effects of zinc and potassium fertilizers on the cold resistance of wheat، an experiment was carried out in Eghlid Agricultural Research Station in 2008-2009. A factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design was used with three replications. The treatments were: potassium (0، 100،200، and 300 kg K2O/ha) and zinc (0،10، and 15 kg Zn/ha). In the first year، the results showed that there were significant differences (at 5 % level) between yield، relative water content (RWC)، bread volume، and gluten content. The highest yield (6935 kg/ha) was obtained in 15 kg Zn /ha treatment. The highest RWC (73. 4 %) was obtained in 300 kg K2O /ha treatment. Maximum dry gluten (11. 3%) was achieved with the use of 300 kg K2O /ha and 15 kg Zn /ha treatment. In the second year، there were significant differences (at 5 % level) in 1000 seed weight and RWC. The highest yield (7435 kg/ha) was obtained in 200 K2O /ha treatment. The protein content and Zeleny index were improved by application of K and Zn fertilizers. The combined analysis of variance showed that the maximum yield and RWC were obtained with use of 300 kg K2O/ha and 10 kg Zn/ha.