Wheat is one of the most important cereal crops in Egypt and the demand for it is increasing in all countries for animal and human consumption. Therefore, a great attention should be given to increase its productivity and improve its quality.
Zinc and copper are two micronutrients required in traces for normal plant growth. Zinc plays essential metabolic roles in plant and works as a regulatory cofactor for several enzymes. It is very closely involved in N metabolism of the plant. In zinc deficient plants protein synthesis and protein levels are markedly reduced, and amino acids and amides are accumulated. Copper is an important micronutrient and is a coenzyme having a vital function in plant metabolism. It is also plays a significant role in several physiological processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, N-reduction and fixation. Brennan (2001) observed that applied zinc fertilizers increased wheat dry matter, zinc content of the dry matter and grain yields. Also , Ziaeian et al., (1999) reported that Copper sulfate application significantly increased dry matter and grain yield of wheat.
Inoculation of wheat by Azospirillum, causes improvements in NPK uptake. El-Sersawy et al., (1997) and Krol (1999) . (Zambre et al., (1984), Bala and Kundu (1988), Krol (1999) and Safwat et al.,2001) mentioned that inoculation of wheat by Azospirillum increased its yield components. Krol (1997) found that inoculation with Azospirillum increased the uptake Zn and Cu by wheat.
|