Can Foliar Molybdenum Compensate for Damage to Barley Because of Draught Stress?

Abstract

To evaluate the quantitative and qualitative responses of barley to foliar molybdenum in drought conditions, an experiment was conducted in 2013 in the Research Farm of Islamic Azad University of Shiraz. The experiment was iterated four times as split plots in the form of statistical design of randomized blocks. Main plots involved three levels of irrigation regimes including normal irrigation, mild stress (no irrigation at the beginning of grain filling) and high stress (no irrigation at early flowering). Subplots involved foliar molybdenum on three levels including foliar molybdenum with pure water, foliar molybdenum with 1% (10 per thousand) and 2% (20 per thousand) sodium molybdate. Results showed that stopping irrigation during reproductive growth significantly influences grain yield and most components of wheat grain yield. Grain yield decreased by 27% and 12% during no irrigation treatment at the beginning of flowering and no irrigation treatment at early grain filling, respectively, compared with normal irrigation. Foliar molybdenum increased grain yield and many components of yield. Compared to control treatment, 1% and 2% foliar molybdenum increased grain yield by 6% and 7%, respectively. Effect of foliar molybdenum was significant on grain protein. Grain protein increased by 38% and 15% during no irrigation treatment at the beginning of flowering and no irrigation treatment at early grain filling, respectively, compared with normal irrigation. In general, results of this study indicate the helpful role of molybdenum on improved quality of barley grain as well as alleviated damage of draught stress.