Modulating Physiological Traits, Yield and Yield Components of Bread Wheat Cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.) via Foliar Potassium Silicate under Water-Limited Field Conditions with Supplementary Irrigation in Konya

In the 2024 – 2025 growing season, a study was conducted at Selcuk University’s research station in Konya, Türkiye, to evaluate the effects of potassium silicate (K2SiO3) on bread wheat under water-limited field conditions with supplementary irrigation. Utilizing a split-plot randomized block design, three cultivars -Bozkır, İkonya, and Selcuklu 1- were tested against four K2SiO3 concentrations: a control (distilled water), 1%, 2%, and 3%. Supplementary irrigation was applied to offset the precipitation deficit, achieving a total water input of 200 mm, including 65 mm at sowing. The application of K2SiO3 significantly influenced growth and physiological performance. İkonya exhibited the shortest heading duration (159.66 days). In the Selcuklu 1 cultivar, the 2% K2SiO3 treatment achieved the highest plant height (61.34 cm), flag leaf node length (11.38 cm), and stomatal conductance (gs: 32.46 mmol m-2 s-1) while 1% K2SiO3 maximized chlorophyll index (54.06 SPAD). Potassium silicate significantly boosted productivity (p < 0.05), with an overall peak average yield of 2.12 t ha-1 at 2% K2SiO3. Specifically, İkonya with 2% K2SiO3 produced the highest yield (2.34 t ha-1), whereas Bozkır with 3% K2SiO3 resulted in the lowest (1.57 t ha-1). Ultimately, 2% K2SiO3 was most effective for enhancing development and yield. The study concludes that K2SiO3 treatments offer a viable alternative for supporting crop performance and yield stability under water-limited field conditions with supplementary irrigation.