Physiological response of wheat genotypes toward zinc regimens

Abstract

Wheat is an essential cereal crop and being used as staple food all over the world. Wheat production in field condition decreases because of various factors. Zinc plays essential role in protection from damage of stresses. Zinc interacts with plant hormones resulting in stimulation of antioxidant enzymes to invalidate stress effect. Two-year field experiment was executed during growing seasons 2021-22 and 2022-23 at farm area of University of Layyah to evaluate various wheat genotypes that can perform better through zinc application and considered as better genotypes to the farmer communities to overcome the vigorous increase of food demand. The experiments were carried out in Randomized Complete Block Design and each experiment was replicated thrice. Eighteen wheat genotypes were used in the experiment. Soil application of zinc was applied. Data of various agronomic parameters was collected. Traits like plant height and number of grains per spike were found significantly correlated with yield. Bhakkar star was superior most for grain yield under zinc 10kg per hectare concentration. Yield and yield related components of wheat at later growth stages are highly raised through zinc application.