Effect of antioxidant foliar applications on two Egyptian wheat varieties cultivated under saline conditions

Aim of study: This study evaluated the effects of antioxidant foliar applications (ascorbic acid, salicylic acid, and potassium silicate) on growth, yield, and grain quality of two wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars grown under saline soil conditions. Area of study: Experiments were conducted at the Sakha Agricultural Research Station in Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, Egypt, during the winter seasons of 2020/21 and 2021/22. The soil was heavy clay, highly saline, and low in organic matter. Material and methods: A two-factor randomized complete block design with three replications was used. Factor A included two wheat cultivars ʻMisr 3ʼ and ʻSakha 95ʼ. Factor B comprised four foliar spray treatments: control (distilled water), 200 mg L-1 ascorbic acid, 200 mg L-1 salicylic acid, and 300 mg L-1 potassium silicate. Foliar sprays were applied three times at 15, 30, and 45 days after sowing. Data on growth, yield, grain quality, germination, and seedling growth were analyzed using two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test (p ≤ 0.05). Main results: Growth variables, grain, straw, and fiber percentages, as well as seedling growth, were statistically higher in the ʻSakha 95ʼ cultivar compared to ʻMisr 3ʼ (p ≤ 0.05). In contrast, the ʻMisr 3ʼ cultivar exhibited significantly higher chlorophyll content, gluten, carbohydrates, protein content, and germination percentage (p ≤ 0.05). Foliar ascorbic acid significantly enhanced all growth, yield, and quality traits and achieved 100% germination and markedly increased seedling growth variables in both cultivars, outperforming all other treatments, outperforming all treatments (p ≤ 0.05). Research highlights: Employing ascorbic acid as a foliar spray could be a strategic approach to enhance resilience against salinity stress in both local wheat cultivars through improved oxidative stress management.