Study the Effect of Foliar Application of Various Methanol Concentrations on some Physiological and Yield Traits of Two Wheat Varieties

In order to study the effect of foliar application of different levels of methanol on yield and physiological traits of two dry-land wheat varieties, an experiment was conducted as factorial based on completely randomized block design in 2014-2015 in Khorram Abad climate conditions in research farm of Khorram Abad Agriculture Station. The experimental factors were: (M) Methanol foliar application (M1: distilled water (Control), M2: 10% (v/v) methanol, M3: 15% (v/v) methanol, M4: 20% (v/v) methanol, M5: 25% (v/v) methanol and M6: 30% (v/v) methanol); (V) wheat varieties (V1: Zagros, V2: Qaboos). Results showed that the effect of different levels of methanol foliar application on SPAD index and relative water content was significant and highest amount of these traits obtained in 20% methanol and 25% methanol resulted to highest biological and grain yield but methanol application had no significant impact on protein content. Highest leaf area, biological yield and grain yield obtained in Qaboos variety and highest protein content observed in Zagros variety. It appears that foliar application of methanol resulted to decrease in photo-respiration and increasing accessibility of carbon resulted from methanol degradation and Qaboos variety produced more grain yield and vegetative growth due to higher adaptability with growth medium conditions.