Abstract
Foliar applications of calcium (Ca) and boron (B) could improve the fertilization of flowers and enhance the wheat yield. The effects of foliar spray of Ca and B on plant growth, grain yield and yield components of wheat were investigated in this study. Treatments consisted of 0, 1.8, 3.6, and 7.2 L ha –1 application of chelated fertilizer containing 125 g L –1 of Ca and 6 g L –1 of B ( Omega Cabor II ® ), divided into two spray, the first one at tillering and the second at early bloom. The results revealed that foliar spray of Ca and B did not affect the stem diameter, peduncle length, spike length, hectoliter weight and thousand-grain mass of wheat. Maximum plant height and flag leaf insertion height was recorded with 4.0 L ha –1 application of foliar fertilizer (4% increase over control). The 7.2 L ha –1 application of foliar fertilizer increased significantly the number of spikelets per spike (9%), number of grains per spike (24%), grain mass per spike (28%), spike mass (14%), number of spikes m –2 (32%) and grain yield (30%) compared to the control. Foliar application of Ca and B improves growth, fertilization of flowers and the number of fertile tillers of wheat plants resulting in higher grain yield.
Highlights
Calcium (Ca) and boron (B) are important nutrients for growth and development of plants and participate in several physiological processes in plants
The results revealed that foliar spray of Ca and B did not affect the stem diameter, peduncle length, spike length, hectoliter weight and thousand-grain mass of wheat
Foliar application of Ca and B improves growth, fertilization of flowers and the number of fertile tillers of wheat plants resulting in higher grain yield
Summary
Calcium (Ca) and boron (B) are important nutrients for growth and development of plants and participate in several physiological processes in plants. Calcium is an essential part of the plant cell wall and necessary for new cell formation. Boron contributes to cell wall strength and development, as well as being critical to cell division, fruit and seed development, sugar synthesis and transport, and hormone development (CAMACHO-CRISTÓBAL et al, 2008). Calcium and boron combined are essential to pollen grain germination and pollen tube elongation (KRICHEVSKY et al, 2007), which helps provide successful fertilization or pollination, preventing the abortion of flowers. According to Tariq and Mote (2007), low Ca and high B could be detrimental to plant growth and yield
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