Response of Wheat to Seed Dressing with Humus and Foliar Potassium Fertilization

Growing demand for wheat grain with optimal technological parameters results in looking for the possibilities of accurately meeting the plant needs. Environmental conditions in the surroundings of germinating grains can be improved by application of humic preparations. Qualitative features of grain can be also changed by foliar application of potassium, which is the activator of enzymes catalysing synthesis of proteins. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of seed dressing with Humistar (12% of humic acids, 3% fulvic acids) and foliar application of Drakar (31% K2O, 3% N) on the spring wheat yield and qualitative features of the grain, namely, 1,000 Kernel Weight (TKW), Hectolitre Mass (HM), Grain Glassiness (GG), Falling Number (FN), total Protein Content (PC), Wet Gluten content (WG) and Sedimentation Value (SV). The experiment was established in the randomized blocks design in a soil classified as Mesic Typic Hapludalfs. The effect of the applied preparations on yield was non-significant, but it was favourable for grain quality. Application of Humistar resulted in an improvement of TKW, HM, GG, PC, WG and SV as compared with the control. Results of the application of Drakar were similar to Humistar in affecting HM, WG and SV, and in the case of PC, the result was even better. The effect of Drakar on GG, although favourable compared to the control, was smaller than after the application of Humistar. Seed dressing with Humistar or foliar potassium fertilization with Drakar are agrotechnical methods that can improve the qualitative features of milling wheat grain.