Yield of different wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars under application of different fertilizer sources in dryland farming

In order to investigate the effect of growth-promoting bacteria on physiologic traitsof new dryland wheat cultivars, a factorial field experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications on the farms of Sarablah Agricultural Research Center in the cropping season during 2019-2020. Experimental treatments included different wheat cultivars (Sardari, Karim, Koohdasht, and Rijaw) and different fertilizer sources including control (without fertilizer source), 50% N fertilizer, Azospirillum+50% N fertilizer, Azetobacter + 50% N fertilizer, Azospirillum + Azetobacter+50% N fertilizer, and 100% N fertilizer. The results of this experiment showed that the interaction effect of cultivar × fertilizer sources had a significant effect on the activity of some antioxidant enzymes and physiological properties. Rijaw cultivar × Azospirillum + Azetobacter+ 50% N fertilizer increased the activities of ascorbate peroxidase (80.9%), glutathione peroxidase (80%), catalase (71.7%), peroxidase (74.1%), superoxide dismutase (74%), carotenoids (72.1%), chlorophyll a (86.1%), chlorophyll b (88.2%), and relative water content (45.4%) while reduced the amount of Malondialdehyde (65.9%) and hydrogen peroxide (91.8%). Moreover, Sardari cultivar × control treatment (without fertilizer sources) had the lowest activities of ascorbate peroxidase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and photosynthetic pigments. Therefore, according to the results of the study, wheat cultivar Rijaw × Azospirillum + Azetobacter+ 50% N fertilizer may be recommended for cultivation in dryland conditions considering the improved physiological characteristics and ultimately increased plant growth.