Effect of Iron, Manganese, and Nitrogen nano-fertilizers on some agronomic and physiological traits of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) cultivars

­In order to investigate the effects of different nano-fertilizers of Iron, manganese, and Nitrogr on some agronomic and physiological traits of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) cultivars, a factorial experiment was conducted based on a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in a farm in Northwestern Dehloran. Experimental factors included three cultivars of sesame (Dehloran landrace, Dashtestan 2, and Darab 1) and four levels of nano-fertilizer foliar application (control, Fe, N, and Mn). Based on the results, the interaction of cultivar × nano-fertilizer on number of seeds per capsule, 1000 seeds weight, biological yield, and harvest index were significant (p≤0.05). Carotenoids and also soluble sugars content were affected only by the foliar application of nano-fertilizers and the highest amount of carotenoids and soluble sugars was observed in iron nano-fertilizer treatment. The highest amount of biological yield (1305 g.m-2) was observed in Dashtestan 2 with manganese application whereas the lowest biological yield (357 g.m-2) was in Darab 1 with control treatment. The highest seed yield (215 g.m-2) was observed in Dashtestan 2, and the difference between this cultivar and the other cultivars was significant. Application of different nano-fertilizer had positive effects on seed yield but only the effect of manganese nano-fertilizer on this trait was significant. Manganese resulted in the highest amount of seed yield (186 g.m-2) which was significantly different from the treatment with iron fertilizer and control (123 g.m-2). Based on the findings, Dashtestan 2 is recommended as the best cultivar for plantation in the region. Also, application of Manganese nano-fertilizer had a remarkable performance in yield improvement in sesame cultivars. Therefore, manganese nano-fertilizer is recommended for nourishing sesame while more studies are suggested on the effects of this fertilizer.