Image source: Natural Science News, 2024
Key findings
- The study was conducted in Egypt to improve wheat growth and yield using different irrigation systems, foliar potassium bicarbonate (PBR) application, and composting methods.
- Drip irrigation increased plant height, leaf area, crop growth rate, yield components and grain yield by 16% compared to spray irrigation.
- Foliar application of 0.08 g/L PBR improved wheat growth and yield parameters by up to 22% compared to the control.
Improving wheat productivity is crucial to addressing global food security concerns. A recent study by Al-Azhar University[1] A comprehensive approach combining irrigation system, foliar potassium bicarbonate (PBR) application, and compost application improved the growth, physiology, and yield of Giza-171 wheat cultivar. The study aimed to determine the optimal combination of these factors to maximize wheat performance. The study found that applying these methods individually or in combination significantly affected nine traits related to wheat growth, physiology, and yield. Drip irrigation showed a 16% increase in plant height, leaf area index, crop growth rate, yield components, and grain yield compared to spray irrigation. Furthermore, foliar application of PBR at a concentration of 0.08 g/L improved these parameters by up to 22% compared to the control. Roll application of compost also improved wheat performance compared to the mixed application method. Interestingly, combination analysis revealed that the three-way interaction between irrigation system, PBR application, and compost method had a significant effect on all traits studied. The combination of drip irrigation, 0.08 g/L PBR, and roll compost application (referred to as Drip_0.08g_Role) yielded the best performance across all traits. Conversely, sprinkle irrigation without PBR and a traditional mixed compost method (referred to as sprinkle_CK_Mix) yielded the worst results. These results suggest that optimized agricultural inputs can synergistically improve wheat performance. This study builds on previous research findings on the importance of potassium in plant physiology. Previous studies have shown that potassium affects photosynthesis by affecting the maximum carboxylation rate (V(c,max)) and maximum rate of electron transport (J(max)) in Rubisco.[2]The use of foliar PBR in the current study is consistent with this understanding, in that potassium bicarbonate can enhance photosynthetic efficiency and overall plant growth. Furthermore, the findings are consistent with previous studies on the benefits of compost and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in mitigating environmental stresses such as soil salinity and water stress.[3]The combined application of compost and PGPR has been shown to enhance soil enzyme activity, nutrient uptake, and plant antioxidant defense systems under stress conditions. The use of compost application methods in the current study further supports the role of organic fertilizers in improving crop growth. In summary, the research conducted by Al-Azhar University demonstrates that a comprehensive approach combining an optimized irrigation system, foliar potassium bicarbonate application, and an effective compost application method can significantly enhance wheat growth, physiology, and yield. These findings build on previous studies on the importance of potassium and organic fertilizers in plant physiology and stress alleviation, highlighting the potential for synergistic improvements in crop growth through the integration of agricultural inputs.
Agricultural Nutrition Sustainability
References
Main Research
1) Optimizing wheat productivity through integrated management of irrigation, nutrients and organic fertilizers
Issued on June 14, 2024
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-024-05213-2
Related Research
3) Joint impact of compost and beneficial rhizobacteria on soil properties, physiological characteristics and productivity of wheat under deficit irrigation in saline soil.
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11070877
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