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

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Abstract

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.

Keywords