Original scientific paper

Influence of growth stage-specific biostimulant application on wheat grain morphology

Jurica Duvnjak orcid.org/0000-0002-1340-2899 ; Agricultural Institute Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Josip Stanić orcid.org/0009-0004-6890-1670 ; Timac Agro, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Valentina Španić orcid.org/0000-0002-7684-5419 ; Agricultural Institute Osijek, Osijek, Croatia *

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

Biostimulants are bioactive compounds that positively modulate plant metabolism, particularly enhancing grain yield. We evaluated, under controlled conditions, the impact of biostimulant application at three distinct growth stages—booting (BS), stem elongation (SES), and heading (HS)—both individually and in combination, using two winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes (Essekerka and Eminentia), to assess effects on grain performance. In Essekerka, 1000 kernel weight increased significantly following biostimulant application during HS alone and when applied during BS + SES + HS. In Eminentia, all treatments resulted in a significant increase in 1000-kernel weight compared to the control. Biostimulant treatments also enhanced grain area and width in both genotypes, although Essekerka showed significant area increases only in HS and BS + SES + HS treatments. Eminentia’s grain length increased only in HS, compared to the control, while biostimulants tended to reduce grain circularity in both genotypes. Taken together, these findings suggest that applying biostimulants during multiple growth stages, particularly at heading, can effectively enhance overall grain yield, driven by improvements in 1000-kernel weight and grain dimensional traits.

Keywords

biostimulants; grain morphology; growth stage; wheat

Hrčak ID:

336588

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/336588

Publication date:

1.10.2025.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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