The Effect of Iron Nanoparticles Spraying Time and Concentration on Wheat

Abstract

Fe deficiency is a widespread nutritional problem in plants growing mainly in high pH and calcareous soils. Foliar application of Fe compounds with the technology of Nano may be a solution to the problem. So, this experiment was conducted in 2014 at the Research Field of Islamic Azad University, Shahr - e-Qods Branch, Iran, to evaluate the response of wheat growth, yield and quality to iron nanoparticles spraying. The experiment was conducted in factorial in the form of a randomized complete block design with four replications and two treatments: time of spraying in two levels (May 23 and June 6) and concentration of Fe Nano-oxide solution in five levels (0, 0.01%, 0.02%, 0.0 3% and 0.04%). The measured traits included: spike weight, 1000 grain weight, biologic yield, grain yield and grain protein content. Results showed that spraying time and concentration significantly affected all measured traits; however, the effect of inte raction of the two factors was not significant. Mean comparison of the spraying times indicated that the highest values of spike weight (614.88 g), 1000 grain weight (36.10 g), biologic yield (8830 kg/ha), grain yield (3639.5 kg/ha) and protein content (16.01%) were achieved in the first spraying time. Among the Fe concentrations, the highest values of spike weight (666.96 g), 1000 grain weight (37.96 g), biologic yield (8895.0 kg/ha), grain yield (3776.5) and protein content (16.44%) were achieved in 0.04% Fe concentration and the lowest values were achieved in the control.