screening tolerance of different spring wheat genotypes to zinc deficiency with using different stress indices

abstract this study was conducted at rudasht research farm in isfahan to evaluate tolerance to zinc (zn) deficiency of 30 spring wheat genotypes, using split plots in a randomized complete blocks design with triplications. main plot consisted of two zn levels (zero and 80 kg zn ha-1 applied as zinc sulfate at planting). the results of anova as well as correlations between tolerance and susceptibility indices to zn deficiency stress and grain yield indicated that mp, gmp and sti were the most suitable indices for identifying and selecting zn-deficiency tolerant wheat genotypes. both at with and without added zn treatments, grain yield had significant positive correlation with mp, gmp and sti. the sti could separate the studied wheat genotypes in different groups based on both their response to fertilization and grain yield potential. therefore, the sti was the best index to identify zn deficiency tolerant genotypes. based on three indices, ghods and falat genotypes were the most tolerant and sensitive genotypes to zn deficiency, respectively.