The Effect of Nano and Non-Nano Zinc Oxide Particles Foliar Application on Yield and Yield Components of Mungbean (Vigna radiate) Under Drought Stress

This study was designed to investigate the effects of nanosized and non-nano zinc oxide foliar application on yield and yield components of mungbean under water stress in Shahrood Agricultural Research Center during 2011-2012. The experiment was arranged as split plot based on randomized complete block design with four replications. Water stress at three levels (control, cutting of irrigation in 50% flowering and 50% pod setting stages) were assigned as main plots and zinc oxide foliar application in five levels (control, 5 and 10 gl-1 nanosized zinc oxide and 5 and 10 gl-1 non-nano-scale zinc oxide) were randomized in sub-plots. Results showed that in comparison with full irrigation, water stress in flowering and pod setting stages decreased mungbean yield 2.2 and 4 percent respectively. Nano and non-nano zinc foliar application increased number of pod per plant, seed per pod, 1000-seed weight and total dry weight in water stress and non-water stress treatments significantly. Foliar application of 10 gl-1 nanosized zinc oxide particles compared to control increased mungbean yield 6.6, 3.6 and 5.4 percent in non-water stress, water stress in flowering and pod setting stages treatments respectively. It can be concluded that foliar application of zinc as nano particles can enhance the yield of mungbean more than zinc oxide under water stress conditions.