Response of two rye wheat varieties to sulfur application under saline–arid soil conditions
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Rye wheat productivity can be constrained by inadequate nutrient availability, particularly under challenging soil conditions. This study assessed the effects of agricultural sulfur application on growth and yield-related traits of two rye wheat varieties (Farah and Amal 7). Significant varietal differences were observed for plant height, flag leaf area, fertile spikes, grains per spike, and grain yield. Variety, Farah, produced greater plant height (112.32 cm), whereas variety Amal 7 exhibited larger flag leaf area (29.55 cm2), more fertile spikes (394.58 spikes m-2), more grains per spike (44.59), and higher grain yield (3.876 t/ha) than Farah (3.606 t/ha). Sulfur application significantly improved most growth and yield attributes. The highest sulfur level (S3 = 1500 kg/ha) produced the greatest plant height (117.13 cm), fertile spike number (405.67 spikes m-2), grains per spike (47.68), and biological yield (12.311 t/ha), while S2 (1000 kg/ha) produced the largest flag leaf area (31.35 cm2), 1000-grain weight (42.62 g), and a high grain yield (4.072 t/ha). The highest grain yield of 4.148 t/ha was recorded under S3, compared with 3.260 t/ha in the sulfur-free control. Variety × sulfur interactions were significant for flag leaf area and fertile spike number but not for plant height, grains per spike, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, or biological yield. Overall, agricultural sulfur application substantially enhanced rye wheat growth, yield components, and productivity, with S2 and S3 providing the most favorable responses.
Source: Plant Protection
Institution: Al-Muthanna University
Language: English
Subfield: Agronomy and Crop Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7204546752