The effects of foliar zinc application on grain antioxidant traits in some winter durum wheat cultivars at different growth stages

Abstract

This study was aimed to investigate the grain antioxidant activity (DPPH. and ABTS.+ radical scavenging activities and cuprac reducing capacity), contents of total phenolic compounds, flavonoid and total antioxidant capacity of five winter durum wheat cultivars under the foliar application of 0.2% of zinc (ZnSO4.7H2O) at different growth stages of grain filling (milky or dough ripeness). The study was carried out in randomized blocks according to the split plot design with three replications in the cultivars of Ç.1252, Eminbey, Kızıltan-91, Meram-2002 and Selçuklu-97.In the study, it was determined that some of the antioxidant traits (ABTS.+, total flavonoid and zinc content of grain) were not statistically different between foliar zinc application stages of the milky and dough ripeness, but zinc application in one of these stages showed significantly higher values in terms of these traits compared to the untreated of zinc (control). Also, cultivars and zinc×cultivar interaction for DPPH. radical scavenging activity, total phenolic compounds and total flavonoids showed significant variations. Within the frame of these results, it was found that foliar application of zinc at different stages of grain filling in durum wheat had statistically significant effects on some antioxidant traits; however, in subsequent studies, it was advised that it would be more beneficial to expand the study by increasing the dose and the number of growth stages.