Three field experiments were carried out at three locations (Byalla, Kafr El-Sheikh and El-Hamol) which represent three levels of soil salinity: low level; moderate level and high level, respectively, at Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, during the two consecutive growing seasons, 1999/2000 and 2000/2001 to study the response of barley plants to foliar application of Zn, Mn and Fe and their combinations.
The obtained results could be summarized as follows:
Grain yield of barley plants was increased by foliar fertilization with micronutrients compared with no micronutrients addition. At low soil salinity level, the highest significant value of grain and straw yields were obtained when Zn, Zn + Mn and Zn + Fe were applied respectively.
At moderate soil salinity level, foliar application of Mn and Zn gave significant higher grain and straw yield respectively. At high level of soil salinity; the yield of grain and straw yields were positively affected by Zn + Fe application. All applied treatments decreased chlorophyll a & b and carotenoids contents in leaves except the mixture of (Zn + Fe + Mn) gave highest increase. Also the mixture of (Zn + Fe + Mn) gave the highest value of nitrogen and protein contents in leaves and kernels. All available macro and micronutrients concentrations in soil were slightly affected with micronutrients. Foliar fertilization of micronutrients improves root and shoot growth and promotes nutrients uptake. foliar fertilization of barley plants grown under saline conditions may help to overcomes disturbances in nutrients uptake and translocation caused by salinity.