Effect of foliar application of folic acid on drought stress mitigation and wheat performance improvement

Subject Areas : Optimizing water consumption

Haghiri Nejad Hosein ¹ , Mohammad Reza Yavarzadeh ^{2 *} , Hilda Shamsadini ³

1 - PhD Student, Department of Agriculture, Bam Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bam, Iran
2 - Assistant Professor, Department of Agriculture, Bam Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bam, Iran
3 - department of accounting, Bam branch, Islamic Azad University, Bam, Iran

Received: 2025-07-03 Accepted : 2025-12-03 Published : 2025-12-19

Keywords: Drought stress, Folic acid, Foliar application, Wheat, Yield,

Abstract :

Introduction

Drought stress significantly limits wheat production in arid regions. Climate change has intensified these conditions, severely affecting agricultural productivity. Folic acid, a B-group vitamin, plays important roles in plant metabolic processes and environmental stress resistance.

 

Material and methods

This experiment was conducted as a split-plot design based on randomized complete block design with three replications during the 2024-2025 growing season. The main factor included three irrigation levels (normal, mild drought stress, and severe drought stress) and the sub-factor was foliar application of folic acid at three concentrations (0, 250, and 500 mg/L). Morphophysiological traits and yield components were measured throughout the growing period

Results and Discussion

The results showed that drought stress had a significant negative effect on morphophysiological traits and wheat yield parameters. Foliar application of folic acid successfully mitigated the negative effects of drought stress across all measured parameters. The highest grain yield (6,100 kg/ha) was obtained under normal irrigation conditions with the application of 500 mg/L folic acid, representing a significant improvement compared to untreated controls. Under severe drought conditions, folic acid application at 500 mg/L increased yield by approximately 23% compared to the control treatment

 

Conclusion

The application of folic acid is considered an effective strategy for reducing the negative effects of drought stress and improving the quantitative and qualitative performance of wheat. This approach offers a practical solution for farmers in drought-prone regions to maintain agricultural productivity under water-limited conditions

 

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