AGROBIOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF TRITICALE SEED USING FOLIAR APPLICATION OF IRON AND ZINC AT VARIOUS POTASSIUM LEVELS

Abstract

Triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) has higher yield potential and is tolerant to several environmental stresses, however, its grain quality is not as good as wheat. If the quality nutrient ie potassium (K) and the micronutrients zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe), are applied; its grain quality might be improved. The current study was initiated to evaluate quantitative and qualitative improvement in grains of triticale through the application of Zn and Fe with K fertilization. The experiment was laid out in RCBD replicated four times during rabi 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 at The University of Agriculture, Peshawar-Pakistan. Triticale cultivar QASWA-18 was sown using recommended seed rate of 120 kg/ha. The seed was planted in a 2.4 x 3m² size plot. Eight rows were sown in each plot using 3m row length. Recommended nutrients i.e. NP were used @ 120:90. Zn and Fe were applied as ZnSO₄.7H₂O & FeO respectively. Three levels each of K ie. 60, 90  & 120  kg/ha, Fe ie. 3, 6 & 9 kg/ha and Zn ie. 2, 4 & 6 kg/ha were used. One control plot was used in each replication. K was used as soil applied at sowing and Fe and Zn were foliar applied at stem elongation stage. Results revealed significant variation in biochemical and yielding attributes of triticale grain during both the years. Averaged over the two years data, plots where K was applied @ 120 kg/ha recorded higher grain yield (GY) (5385 kg/ha), harvest index (HI) (39.6%), grain Fe content (32.7 mg/kg) & Zn content (24.6 mg/kg), grain protein content (GPC) (13.66%) and gluten content (GC) (26.37%). HI both at 90 and 120 kg K/ha were not significantly different. Plots where Fe was applied @ 9 kg/ha produced higher GY (4866 kg/ha), grain Fe content (32 mg/kg), GPC (13.48%) and GC (26.02%). Plots where Zn was applied @ 6 kg/ha produced higher GY (4722 kg/ha), grain Zn content (24.2 mg/kg), GPC (13.42%) and GC (25.84%). GY and GC at 6 and 4 kg Zn/ha were not significantly different. In control plots where no K, Fe or Zn were applied, lower GY (2702 kg/ha), and HI (29.2%), lower grain Fe content (28.3) and Zn content (19.6 mg/kg), lower GPC (12.33%) and GC (23.9%) were observed.  The interaction of K × Zn was significant for grain Zn content only. It was concluded that GY, GPC and GC of triticale were increased with increase in the levels of K, Fe and Zn. The K × Zn interaction significantly affected grain Zn content, with the highest value recorded under 120 kg K ha⁻¹ combined with 6 kg Zn ha⁻¹. A significant K × Fe interaction was also observed for GY, HI, GPC and GC, with maximum values obtained at 120 kg K ha⁻¹ and 9 kg Fe ha⁻¹. It is recommended that K @ 120 kg/ha and Fe @ 9 kg/ha should be used combine for higher GY and grain quality. The combined use of K @ 120 kg/ha & Zn @ 6 kg/ha is recommended to enhance grain Zn content of triticale.