What the study found
Foliar application of titanium dioxide (TiO2) improved late-sown wheat performance, with 501 μmol L−1 applied at the booting stage giving the best overall results. The study reports improvements in photosynthetic physiology, yield-related traits, and grain quality.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that TiO2 application may help alleviate the adverse effects of late sowing in wheat, which misses the usual photoperiod and temperature conditions for growth. They suggest this approach can improve both yield and quality in late-sown wheat.
What the researchers tested
The researchers conducted a two-year field experiment on late-sown wheat. They tested two application timings, booting stage (S1) and flowering stage (S2), and four TiO2 concentrations: 0, 376, 501, and 626 μmol L−1.
What worked and what didn't
TiO2 increased photosynthetic pigments, including SPAD and spectroscopic indices such as CHI and PRI, and improved net photosynthetic rate. It also increased antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD and POD) and reduced MDA, a marker of membrane lipid peroxidation, with T2 showing the strongest effect.
At S1, TiO2 increased florets and spikelets, improved grain setting, and raised grain number per spike. At S2, it improved grain filling and thousand-grain weight. The study also reports higher protein content, wet gluten, and sedimentation value, with T2 performing best under both timing conditions.
What to keep in mind
The abstract describes a two-year field study in late-sown wheat only, so the findings are limited to that setting. It does not describe additional limitations beyond the scope of the experiment.
Key points
- TiO2 foliar application improved photosynthetic physiology in late-sown wheat.
- The 501 μmol L−1 treatment (T2) was reported as the most effective overall.
- Booting-stage application increased florets, spikelets, grain setting, and grain number per spike.
- Flowering-stage application improved grain filling and thousand-grain weight.
- The study also reports higher protein content, wet gluten, and sedimentation value.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- TiO2 foliar spray improved late-sown wheat yield and quality
- Authors:
- Wenqiang Tian, Meilin Hu, Shan Yu, Ji Zhang, Ji Zhang, Xuehui Wang, Guangzhou Chen, Weijun Yang, Shubing Shi, J. Wang, Jinshan Zhang, Jinshan Zhang
- Institutions:
- Xinjiang Agricultural University, Tumaini University, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, China Agricultural University
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-09
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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