Abstract
This study determined whether the application of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) could ameliorate salt-induced reduction in wheat production. Saline irrigation water (0.5, 4.0, 8.2, and 12.5 dS/m) and N and P fertilizers (150 kg N/ha and 37.5 kg P
2
O
5
/ha) were applied to wheat (Triticum aestivum L. 'Saka 92') grown on a calcareous soil in a greenhouse experiment. Plants received equal amounts of each fertilizer, but the time and frequency of application differed. All salinity levels reduced straw and grain yields, leaf soluble proteins, nitrate (NO
3
) content, actual and potential nitrate reductase activity (NRA), and grain protein content. The delay in pollen meiotic cell division increased with salinity. Under saline conditions, applying N and P fertilizers at the end of the grain filling stage improved yield and metabolic performance of the plants compared to other fertilizer treatments.