Effect of foliar fertilization applied at different phenological stages on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield and grain nutrient content under greenhouse conditions

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of foliar fertilization applied at different phenological stages on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield, yield components, and grain nutrient content under controlled greenhouse conditions. The experiment was conducted using a randomized block design with four replications. Foliar fertilization treatments were applied at three key phenological stages: tillering (T), stem elongation (SE), and heading (H), along with their combinations (T+SE, T+H, SE+H, and T+SE+H). A control treatment without foliar fertilization was also included. Foliar fertilizers containing essential macro- and micronutrients were applied at a 0.5% concentration using a hand sprayer. The results demonstrated that foliar fertilization significantly improved wheat grain yield and nutrient composition compared to the control. The highest grain yield increase was observed in the T+SE and T+SE+H treatments, which enhanced yield by 71.01% and 73.45%, respectively, compared to the control. However, statistical analysis revealed no significant differences between these two treatments, suggesting that foliar fertilization at the tillering and stem elongation stages alone is sufficient to achieve maximum yield and nutrient uptake efficiency. Significant increases in nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and micronutrients such as iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn) were observed in response to foliar applications, while copper (Cu) content remained unchanged. These findings highlight the effectiveness of foliar fertilization in enhancing wheat productivity and nutrient content. Considering practical and economic aspects, the T+SE application is recommended as the most efficient approach. Nevertheless, further field trials are necessary to validate these results under real-world conditions and optimize foliar fertilization strategies for sustainable wheat production.