Effect of Hydrogen Peroxide and Zinc Spraying on the Growth, Yield and Antioxidant Enzyme of Wheat Triticum aestivum L

Abstract

Abstract Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most important crops in the world. Thus, the importance of this study stems from its attempt to investigate the effect of foliar spraying with hydrogen peroxide and foliar application of zinc on some growth, yield and antioxidant enzymes of the wheat crop. A field experiment was organized in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 3 replications with Split plot arrangement. The first factor was three concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) (25, 50, and 75) ppm as well as the control treatment that was sprayed with distilled water only. The second factor was three concentrations of zinc (Zn) (50, 100, and 150) mg. L-1 as well as the control treatment that was sprayed with distilled water only. The result of this study showed that the higher concentrations of H2O2 gave low value of plant height, number of spikes per m2 and grain yield, while they increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT and also increased the proline content. The higher concentration of Zn application significantly increased the plant height, SOD, CAT, proline content, number of spikes per m2 and grain yield.