Appropriate Application Methods for Salicylic Acid and Plant Nutrients Combinations to Promote Morpho-Physiological Traits, Production, and Water Use Efficiency of Wheat under Normal and Deficit Irrigation in an Arid Climate

Abstract

Freshwater shortage and inadequate nutrient management are the two major challenges for sustainable wheat production in arid agro-ecosystems. Relatively little is known about the positive roles of the application methods for the combination of salicylic acid (SA) and plant nutrients in sustaining wheat production under arid climatic conditions. A two-year field study was undertaken to assess the impact of seven treatments for the integrated application of SA, macronutrients, and micronutrients on the morpho-physiological traits, yield, and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) of wheat subjected to full (FL) and limited (LM) irrigation regimes. The results showed that the LM regime caused a significant reduction in different plant growth traits, relative water content, chlorophyll pigments, yield components, and yield, while a significant increase was observed in IWUE. The sole application of SA or co-application with micronutrients through soil did not significantly affect the studied traits under the FL regime, while they achieved some improvement over untreated plants under the LM regime. Based on the different multivariate analyses, the soil and foliar applications for the combinations of SA and micronutrients, as well as a foliar application for the combinations of SA, macronutrients, and micronutrients were identified as an efficient option for mitigating the negative impacts of water deficit stress and enhancing the growth and production of wheat under normal conditions. In conclusion, the results obtained herein indicated that the co-application of SA and macro- and micronutrients is an effective option to greatly enhance and improve the growth and production of wheat crops in water-scarce countries of arid regions, such as Saudi Arabia, while an appropriate application method for this combination was required for positive effects.

Effects of Salicylic Acid and Macro- and Micronutrients through Foliar and Soil Applications on the Agronomic Performance, Physiological Attributes, and Water Productivity of Wheat under Normal and Limited Irrigation in Dry Climatic Conditions

“…These positive effects of SA might explain why the exogenous application of SA through the S and F methods seems to be a beneficial approach in coping with water deficit stress as well as in improving the growth and production of wheat crops under normal and stress conditions. Similarly, the improved growth, physiological attributes, yield, and yield components of different field crops grown under normal and stress conditions after the foliar application of SA have been reported by several previous studies [4,18,21,59]. However, the effects of SA application through the soil on the growth, physiological attributes, yield, and yield components of wheat under normal and stress conditions have not been studied to date.…”

Enhancing Wheat Growth, Physiology, Yield, and Water Use Efficiency under Deficit Irrigation by Integrating Foliar Application of Salicylic Acid and Nutrients at Critical Growth Stages

“…Therefore, the exogenous application of SA and essential plant nutrients can be a cost-effective way to improve the growth and production of wheat under DI conditions. However, the effectiveness of this approach depends on several factors, such as the concentration, timing, and method of application as well as any synergistic effects [ 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 ]. Therefore, this study aims to examine the impact of applying SA alone and in combination with plant nutrients during sensitive growth stages of wheat on agro-physiological and yield parameters as well as IWUE under DI conditions.…”