Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
- Khadijeh Aghaeifard 1
- Yavar Dargahi 2
- Ahmad Tobeh 3
- Asghar Mehraban 4
- Kamal Shahbazi Homonlo 5
- Keramat Akhavan 6
1 Ph.D. Graduate, Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
2 Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
3 Professor, Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
4 Assistant Professor, Dryland Agricultural Research Institute (DARI), Ardabil Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Ardabil, Iran
5 Assistant Professor, Crop and Horticultural Science Research Department, Ardabil Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Ardabil, Iran
6 Assistant Professor, Agricultural Engineering Research Department, Ardabil Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Ardabil, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Drought stress is one of the most significant abiotic stresses constraining the growth and yield of wheat, particularly in rainfed and semi-arid regions. The application of supplemental irrigation at critical growth stages, along with organic compounds such as nano-organic fertilizer and fulvic acid, represents an effective strategy to enhance tolerance to water deficit and improve both the quantity and quality of the grain. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of nano-organic fertilizer and fulvic acid on the yield and qualitative characteristics of wheat under varying irrigation regimes.
Methodology: The experiment was conducted as a factorial split-plot arrangement within a randomized complete block design with three replications, during the 2023–2024 growing season at the research farm of the Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center of Ardabil Province (Moghan). The main plots were allocated to three irrigation levels (no irrigation/rainfed, supplemental irrigation at the heading stage, and full irrigation). Subplots consisted of two wheat cultivars (Aftab and Tak-Taz), seed priming with nano-organic fertilizer (0 and 1:1000 v/v), and foliar application of fulvic acid at three concentrations (0, 5, and 10 g L-1). The measured traits included the concentrations of micronutrients (iron, zinc, manganese, boron, and copper) in grains, grain phosphorus and potassium percentages, grain phosphorus yield, phytic acid content, the molar ratio of phytic acid to iron and zinc, grain protein percentage, and grain yield. Research findings: The results demonstrated that the highest concentrations of iron (95.495 mg kg-1), zinc (40.241 mg kg-1), manganese (61.335 mg kg-1), boron (9.246 mg kg-1), and copper (39.349 mg kg-1) were obtained under full irrigation × Tak-Taz cultivar, while the lowest values were recorded under rainfed conditions × Tak-Taz cultivar. Seed priming with nano-organic fertilizer significantly increased grain phosphorus and potassium percentages by 3.73% and 2.47%, respectively. Similarly, foliar application of fulvic acid at 10 g L-1 enhanced grain phosphorus content by 7.34% compared to the control. Across all three irrigation levels, the combined application of nano-organic fertilizer and fulvic acid led to a significant reduction in grain phytic acid content and its molar ratio to iron and zinc. Grain protein percentage increased by 7.8% due to nano-organic seed priming, and by 8.46% and 13.39% with foliar application of fulvic acid at 5 and 10 g L-1, respectively, relative to the control. The highest grain yield (6082 kg ha-1) was achieved under the full irrigation × seed priming with nano-organic fertilizer × 10 g L-1 fulvic acid × Tak-Taz cultivar combination, whereas the lowest yield (1218 kg ha-1) was observed in the rainfed, no nano-organic fertilizer, and no fulvic acid treatment with the Tak-Taz cultivar. Overall, the application of nano-organic fertilizer and foliar spraying of fulvic acid at 10 g L-1, particularly when combined with supplemental irrigation, not only increased grain yield, protein content, and micronutrient enrichment but also reduced the anti-nutritional compound phytic acid. Therefore, this integrated approach can be recommended as an effective strategy toward sustainable agriculture and improved wheat quality in rainfed and semi-arid regions.
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