Foliar Application of Different Potassium Silicate Fertilizer Types and Their Effect on Enhancing Drought Tolerance, Growth and Yield of Wheat Genotypes

M. Abdelaziz, Shimaa; Niel, Enga Mostafa; Yahya, A.I.A.

doi:10.21608/asejaiqjsae.2023.335808

Foliar Application of Different Potassium Silicate Fertilizer Types and Their Effect on Enhancing Drought Tolerance, Growth and Yield of Wheat Genotypes

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Soil, Water & Environment Res. Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Egypt.

² Soil fertility and plant nutrition, Soil water and Environment dpt., ARC.

³ Wheat Res. Dep., Field Crops Res. Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Giza, Egypt

10.21608/asejaiqjsae.2023.335808

Abstract

Water deficiency, is one of the most important environmental stresses, resulting in serious yield reductions in wheat production. Enhanced wheat resistance to drought stress has been attributed to silicon (Si). Therefore, two field experiments were conducted in order to study the effects of two potassium silicate treatments, mineral or nano form, under water stress on the growth and yield performance of three wheat cultivars. Experimental design, was a split split-plot design, with three replications. Drought stress significantly reduced grains per spike, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, and biomass of all wheat cultivars. In contrast, foliar-applied silicon, significantly increased these parameters and reduced electrolyte leakage. The results suggested that water stress during vegetative and reproductive development is equally injurious to wheat, and adequate water supply throughout crop development is essential to harvest maximum biological potential. In conclusion, the foliar application of silicon was very effective in indorsing tolerance of wheat plants to drought conditions by maintaining cellular membrane integrity and relative water content and increasing grain yield, and biomass of all wheat cultivars.

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