Foliar application of micronutrients improves the wheat yield and net economic return

A field trial to evaluate the response of exogenously applied commercial micronutrients mixture "Shelter" (Zn = 2%, Fe = 1%, Mn = 2%, Cu = 1%, B = 1%) on growth and yield of wheat was conducted during winter 2007-2008. Shelter was exogenously sprayed at tillering, jointing, booting, earing, tillering and booting, tillering and jointing, jointing and earing, booting and earing, tillering, jointing and booting and tillering, jointing, booting and earing stages of wheat; while control plots were sprayed with distilled water. There was no effect of micronutrient application on number of tillers, fertile tillers and spike length. Exogenous application of Shelter significantly improved the number of grains per spike, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, straw yield, biological yield and harvest index at different growth stages of wheat. An increase in the number of grains per spike, 1000-grain weight, straw yield and biological yield was recorded when Shelter was applied at least at three growth stages. Maximum grain yield, net economic returns were recorded when Shelter was applied at tillering, jointing, booting and earing. In conclusion, foliar application of commercial preparation Shelter may be helpful to improve the wheat yield.