Effects of foliar spraying of potassium fertilizer on the contents of microelement, phytic acid and HMW-GS in wheat flour

Abstract

Potassium (K) has a considerable effect on wheat quality, and prudent application of K fertilizer can significantly improve wheat yield and quality. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of foliar application of potassium fertilizer (KFA) applied to the leaves of wheat plants at the late-growth stage on the contents of microelements, phytic acid, the molar ratio of phytic acid to micronutrients and high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS) in different types of flour for two wheat varieties. The results indicate that there were significant differences in microelements, phytic acid, the molar ratio of phytic acid to microelements, and the type and content of HMW-GS between the two varieties. KFA significantly increased Fe, Mn, Zn, and HMW-GS, and decreased the phytic acid content, but the change in the degree of the two varieties was different. KFA decreased the molar ratio of phytic acid to microelements, and the reduction in the molar ratio was different in all types of flour for these two varieties, and its ratio was the lowest in the whole flour. KFA improved the nutritional quality of flour by increasing the microelements' content and reducing the phytate's content and improving the processing quality of flour by increasing the content of HMW-GS.