The study of morphophysiological characteristics and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) using Nitrogen and Zinc sources and their interaction

The study of use of nutrients and the optimal balance between nutrients and concentrations of absorbable compounds has always attracted the attention of researchers in biological and agricultural sciences. In this research, effects of four levels of Nitrogen sources (100 % urea, nano-chelate nitrogen, 100% Panaromix biologic fertilizer, and 50% urea + 50 % Panaromix biologic fertilizer) along with three levels of Zinc sources (control or without application of Zn, zinc sulfate, and nano-chelate zinc) and interaction effects of hese sources were investigated on physiology and yield of wheat. The study was carried out by split-plot method based on completely randomized blocks design with 3 replications and 12 treatments in a private farm located in the north of Jelin, a city located 3 Km east of Gorgan, during the 2017-2018 crop year. Results showed that the traits under study were affected by the sources of nitrogen supply and the interaction effects of sources of the two elements but there was no significant difference under treatment with sources of zinc supply. In Nitrogen supply sources, the maximum leaf area and number, shoot length, chlorophyll b and chlorophyll (a+b) content, and nitrate reductase activity as well as biological and grain yield was related to 100% urea and 50% urea + 50% biologic fertilizer. In combined treatments with the interaction effects, the highest amount of proline was related to 100% biological fertilizer + nano-chelate zinc and in the treatments that were associated with increased proline, there was no increase in the soluble sugars and glycine betaine contents. The highest level of NR activity, chlorophyll a, and total chlorophyll (a+b) content, and also the highest level of grain performance and biological yield were observed in 100% urea + Zinc sulfate fertilizer treatment. The results showed that high yield of wheat in this treatment was a function of plant physiological behavior, showing a positive interaction between nitrogen and zinc.