Response of Durum Wheat to Foliar Application of Var ied Sources and Rates of Iron Fertilizers

Abstract

Iron deficiency in soil reduces the quality of duru m wheat leading to Fe deficiency in human. Thus, this experiment investigated the effec ts of foliar application of nano-iron oxide (2 and 4 g L -1 ), iron chelate (EDTA), (4 and 8 g L -1 ), iron sulfate (4 and 8 g L -1 ), and the control on grain yield and quality, yield compo nents, chlorophyll and carotenoids contents, peroxidase (POX), catalase (CAT), and asc orbate peroxidase (APX) activities of durum wheat D-85-15-5. Iron application increased a ctivities of all leaf enzymes and chlorophyll of leaf, grain protein, iron and carboh ydrate contents, grain carbohydrate, protein, iron yields, and grain yield. Iron source had no effects on enzymes activities, but the highest chlorophyll content, grain yield, grain iron (38%) and protein contents (58%), protein, iron, and carbohydrate yields were produce d by application of 2 g L -1 of nano- iron oxide followed by 8 g L -1 iron sulfate. Harvest index, 1,000 gain-weight, an d chlorophyll, grain yield, grain iron and protein co ntents, protein, iron, and carbohydrate yields increased. But, these parameters decreased a t the higher rate of nano-iron oxide. Application of 2 g L -1 nano-iron oxide was more effective than the other F e sources and rates, and is suggested for durum wheat production . Keywords: Antioxidant enzymes, Chlorophyll content , Iron content, Protein content, Yield.