Effect of Potassium and Zinc on Some Responses of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under Salinity Stress

Salinity is the most significant abiotic stress limiting agricultural production. In order to study the interactive effects of K and Zn on reduction of salinity harmful effects on vegetation characteristics of wheat plant, a greenhouse factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications. Treatments included three levels of Zn (0, 5, 10 mg Zn.kg-1 soil), three rates of K (0, 200, 400 mg K2O.kg-1 soil) and two levels of salinity (saline soil, non-saline soil), which were applied to the potting soils. Results showed that applications of K and Zn decreased the dry weight of leaf, shoot and root by, respectively, 14.1%, 18.0% and 20.9%. But, application of 10 mg Zn kg-1 soil increased shoot dry weight (70%). Also, salinity increased shoot K uptake (19.7%) and application of 400 mg K2O kg-1 soil and 10 mg Zn kg-1 soil increased it (36.7%). Salinity decreased K/Na ratio. Thus, nutrient element management, especially K and Zn, could decrease the effects of salinity stress.