Effect of foliar application of zinc on quantitative and qualitative yield of wheat under water deficit condition

The effect of foliar application of zinc on yield and seed quality of wheat under water deficit was studied as split factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with three replications in 2009-2010. Main factor was water deficit condition at three levels of complete irrigation, irrigation halting after pollination, and after grain milk stage. Sub-factors were three wheat genotypes (Mahdavi, Shiraz and Pishtaz) and three different concentrations of zinc (0, 2.5 and 5 mg.kg-1). Results revealed that grain yield, total dry matter and harvest index were reduced and seed protein was increased with stress intensity increasing. All cultivars, particularly Mahdavi showed high performances at complete irrigation condition. However, Pishtaz produced higher grain yield (6107 kg) at irrigation halting after pollination. According to the results, zinc sulfate had positive significant effect on most of the studied traits and application of zinc sulfate 2.5 mg.kg-1 increased grain yield of wheat up to 27% at complete irrigation condition. Besides, zinc sulfate application increased zinc concentration in seeds, significantly.