The effects of micronutrients foliar application on some biochemical and physiological characteristics of two wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars under water deficit conditions

Two field experiments were carried out in 2011-2012 on research farm of Islamic Azad University of Kermanshah and Mahidasht Agricultural Research Center to study the effects of foliar application of micronutrients (Mn, Zn and Mn + Zn) on some biochemical and physiological characteristics of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)on different conditions of moisture. The experiments were conducted based on split factorial in randomized complete block with four replications. Three drought stress(I1= full irrigation,I2= with holding irrigation at the start of an thesis stage through the ripening,I3= with holding irrigation at the start of grain filling stage through the ripening) were randomized to the main plot units and 8 treatments from combination levels of two cultivars (C1=Bahar and C2=Pishtaz) and four foliar applications(F0=foliar application of water,F1=foliar application of Zinc(5000 ppm),F2=foliar application of manganese (5000 ppm) and F3= foliar application of Zinc and manganese (5000 ppm) were randomized to the sub plot units. The results showed that with increase severity of drought stress, Relative water content and cell membrane stability was decreased. With micronutrients foliar application, RWC and CMS increased on Pishtaz cultivar relative to Bahar cultivar. with increase severity of drought stress, activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT) increased and foliar application Zn+Mn had higher significant effect on activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT). Significant and positive correlation was found between grain yield and RWC.