جستجوی مقالات مرتبط با کلیدواژه « micronutrients » در نشریات گروه « آب و خاک »

Application of agricultural waste composts, in addition to improving soil fertility, has positive effects on the quality of agricultural products and the environment by reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and recycling agricultural waste. Spinach (Spinacea oleracea L.) is a suitable plant for studying the effects of composts and chemical fertilizers due to some physiological characteristics such as high antioxidant activity and oxalic acid, significant amount of mineral compounds and vitamin C, and nitrate accumulation. Despite relatively extensive studies on the effect of different composts on plants, no study has been conducted so far to investigate the effect of grape pomace (GP) composts on plants in Iran. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were: 1- to investigate the effect of different GP composts on yield, nutrient elements, and some physiological parameters of spinach in comparison with two levels of urea fertilization in a pot experiment in two consecutive growing seasons, and 2- to investigate the relationship between nutrient elements and physiological indicators of spinach based on principal component analysis.

To investigate the effects of GP composts on yield, nutrient elements, and physiological parameters of spinach (Persius hybrid), an outdoor pot experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with eight compost treatments, two levels of urea fertilizer (46%), and a control treatment (C0) in three replications and two consecutive growing seasons (spring and fall). Compost treatments included: High grape pomace (HG) (60-63%) with chickpea straw and alfalfa (HG-Ch-A), high GP with chickpea straw and sugar beet pulp (HG-Ch-B), high GP with alfalfa and sugar beet pulp (HG-A-B), high GP combined with chickpea straw, alfalfa, and sugar beet pulp (HG-All); four other compost treatments included low level of grape pomace (LG) (37-42%) combined with other residues/wastes similar to the first four treatments (LG-Ch-A, LG-Ch-B, LG-A-B, and LG-All). Urea fertilizer treatments included: 150 kg per hectare (C150) (two-stage top dressing) and 500 kg per hectare (C500) (three-stage top dressing). Prior to planting, the composts were separately mixed into the soil (sandy loam) at a rate of 2% by weight(. The first crop was grown for 50 days in May 2018 and the second crop was grown for 45 days in September 2018. In both seasons, plant samples were taken in the early morning at the end of the growing season to determine the fresh and oven-dried weight of shoot and root samples, leaf area, nutrient elements, and some physiological indicators. Some of the shoot samples were wrapped in aluminum foil and stored in a freezer (-20 °C) to determine the amount of chlorophyll (type a, type b, and total), carotenoids, total phenol, vitamin C, and antioxidant activity. Oxalic acid, zinc, iron, copper, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, and nitrate were determined in oven-dried samples. One-way ANOVA was applied separately to spring and fall data, and mean comparisons were made using Duncan's test at the 0.05% level. Principal component analysis was used to determine the relationships between nutrient elements and physiological indicators of spinach.

The LG-Ch-A and C500 treatments (in spring cultivation), and the LG-A-B, LG-All, and HG-All treatments (in fall cultivation) had the highest leaf number, leaf area, and yield and were significantly difference from the C0 treatment. The high yield in C500, LG-Ch-A, LG-All, and HG-All treatments was associated with nitrate accumulation in spinach. In both cultivations, there was a significant positive correlation between the amount of P, K, Mg and Zn in spinach and the amount of these elements in the corresponding composts. A synergistic relationship was also observed between P and Mg; P and Zn; and Mg and Zn in spinach. On the other hand, an antagonistic relationship was observed between Ca and Mg in spinach because a high concentration of calcium inhibits magnesium uptake by reducing cell permeability. In both seasons, the chemical fertilizer treatments showed the highest amount of chlorophyll and carotenoids because these compounds increase with increasing nitrogen availability. On the contrary, the amount of antioxidant activity was significantly higher in compost treatments than in chemical treatments. In the spring cultivation, the highest and lowest amount of oxalic acid and oxalic acid/Ca ratio were observed in the LG-Ch-B and HG-All treatments, respectively. Interactions between nutrients and physiological indicators were observed. The uptake of all micronutrients, P, and Mg (in both cultivations) and K (in the fall cultivation) was inhibited by high Ca concentration. With the decrease of micronutrients uptake, an increase in nitrate accumulation may occur because micronutrients are present in the structure of nitrate reducing enzymes. The interdependence between Mg and oxalic acid/Ca (in spring), K and oxalic acid (in fall), and Na and oxalic acid/Ca (in fall) may be related to the role of oxalates in the uptake of mineral ions by plants, since oxalates are usually combined with Na, Mg, Ca, and K in the form of soluble and insoluble salts.

The use of urea chemical fertilizer (at two levels) and agricultural waste composts had different effects on the physiological indicators, growth and nutrients in spinach. Spinach grown in soils treated with composts rich in P, K, Mg, and Zn had higher nutritional value. The grouping of treatments by principal component analysis showed that chemical and control treatments were clearly separated from compost treatments with high amount of chlorophyll, carotenoid, nitrate, K, and Zn and low amount of oxalic acid, oxalic acid/Ca ratio, antioxidant activity, phenol, and Na. In general, the use of C500, LG-Ch-A, LG-All and HG-All treatments is not recommended due to nitrate accumulation in spinach.

Application of natural organic matter derived components, i.e. humic acid, as fertilizer is a suitable way to improve soil fertility and increase yield and quality of agricultural products. Many researchers reported positive effects of humic acid on water holding capacity, soil aeration, root formation and development, microorganism activities, and availability of mineral nutrients in soil. Antagonistic interaction between soil phosphorus and some micronutrients, especially in calcareous soils, can cause micronutrients deficiency in plants. With regard to positive effects of organic compounds on bioavailability of mineral nutrients, it seems that humic acid can positively affect the phosphorus interaction with micronutrients. Therefore, investigation of the effects of humic acid incorporated into irrigation water, phosphate and iron fertilizers application, on nutrients concentration in plants and their interactions is considerable.

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of application of humic acid in irrigation water, and phosphate and iron fertilizers in soil, on corn growth and concentration of P, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu in corn tissues. To this aim, a factorial experiment was conducted based on completely randomized design, with three replications in greenhouse. The factors included humic acid in 0, 70, and 140 mg kg-1 levels, (7 times as fertigation during growth season; total use equal to 0, 490, and 980 mg kg-1 of soil, respectively), phosphorus (P, as monocalcium phosphate monohydrate) in 0 and 50 mg kg-1 levels, and Fe (as ferrous sulfate heptahydrate) in 0, 10, and 20 mg kg-1 levels. P and Fe treatments were mixed with 4 kg of air-dried soil (<2 mm in diameter) and filled to the pots. Six seeds of maize (Zea maye L. cv. Single cross 704) were seeded per pot, and three seedlings were finally kept and grown for two months. After harvest, fresh and dried weight of shoots were measured. The roots were accurately extracted from the soil, washed, dried at 65◦C, and weighed. Sample digestion and measuring concentration of P, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu were done according to conventional methods (P by a UV-Visible Spectrophotometer and metal elements by the GBS Savant Atomic Absorption Spectrometer). Statistical analyses were done by the IBM SPSS Statistics version 26 software.

According to this study results, the main effect of humic acid, on P concentration and dry matter of shoots and roots, was statistically significant. In presence of P (2nd P level), 490 and 980 mg kg-1 humic acid levels significantly increased the mean of dry matter compared to blank while humic acid had no significant effect on means of shoots and roots dry matter in 1st level of P (no P application). Increasing humic acid level from 490 to 980 mg kg-1, significantly decreased mean of shoots dry matter. The interaction effect between humic acid and the other two factors exhibited statistical significance concerning root dry matter. The treatment combination of 50 mg kg-1 of P, 490 mg kg-1 of humic acid, and 20 mg kg-1 of Fe yielded the highest mean root dry matter, which was 97% greater than that of the control. The 2nd level of P significantly increased the means of shoots P concentration in all levels of humic acid and Fe factors, compared to those of the 1st P factor level. There was no significant difference between means of shoots P concentration in different levels of humic acid and Fe factors, at the 1st level of P factor, separately. On the other hand, at the 2nd level of P factor, significant differences were observed between the means of P concentration for both other factors (significant interaction between P and humic acid, and between P and Fe Factors). Applying humic acid could significantly increase the means of shoots P concentration at the 2nd level of P factor, but there was no significant difference between those of 490 and 980 mg kg-1 levels. About the effect of Fe factor on shoots P concentration, only 10 mg kg-1 level of Fe significantly increased it. The main effect of the P and humic acid factors and interaction of the P and Fe factor on roots P concentration, were statistically significant. Roots P concentration increased significantly by 490 and 980 mg kg-1 humic acid levels. A significant increase of roots P concentration was observed in the 1st P factor level and 10 mg kg-1 level of Fe compared to the blank, and in 50 mg kg-1 level of P, Fe factor had no significant effect on it. The results showed that humic acid could not improve P uptake by corn from the soil with low available phosphorus (Olsen extractable P lower than 4 mg kg-1). The humic acid factor had no significant effect on Fe concentration of corn shoots, but its main effect and its triple interaction, with two other factors, on Fe concentration of the roots were statistically significant. There was no significant difference between the means of roots Fe concentration at the 1st level of P factor (9 treatments, various levels of humic acid and Fe factors). The highest mean of root's Fe concentration was found in treatment of the highest level of each factor, significantly more than those of the most of other treatments. About the Mn concentration in corn tissues, the Mn concentration in shoots was significantly increased by P fertilizer application, and Mn concentration in roots was significantly affected and increased by 490 and 980 mg kg-1 humic acid levels. The means of Mn concentration of roots in 490 and 980 mg kg-1 humic acid were not significantly different. The Zn concentration of corn shoots was significantly affected by interaction of the P and humic acid factors as the highest mean of it was in 0 mg kg-1 of P and 980 mg kg-1 humic acid levels, and there was no significant difference between those of other levels. The Zn concentration of corn roots was significantly increased by P applying and affected by the interaction of humic acid and Fe factors. When humic acid was at zero concentration level, Fe application of 20 mg kg-1 significantly decreased the Zn concentration of corn shoots while with humic acid application (490 and 980 mg kg-1) no significant difference was observed between the means. This result showed that humic acid can decrease the antagonistic effects of Fe and Zn in soil. The Cu concentration in shoots was significantly affected by the P and Fe factors. Usage of P fertilizer significantly increased the Cu concentration of corn shoots; on the contrary, the 2nd and 3rd levels of Fe factor (Fe applications) significantly decreased Cu concentration in shoots of corn. Moreover, using humic acid could significantly increase Cu concentration of corn roots without any significant interaction with the other two factors.

The findings suggest that in soils with very low available P, humic acid alone does not enhance the growth and dry matter yield of corn. However, the efficiency of phosphate fertilizer can be enhanced by applying humic acid fertilizer through irrigation water. Additionally, humic acid has been observed to mitigate antagonistic effects between P and certain micronutrients, as well as reduce antagonistic interactions among metal micronutrients. For the positive effect of humc acid on growth and adequate chemical composition of corn, concentration of 490 mg kg-1 humic acid is recommended.

The present research was conducted to investigate the effect of foliar application of Zargreen organic liquid fertilizer on the growth and chemical composition of tomatoes under drought stress in greenhouse conditions in the Faculty of Agriculture of Shiraz University on May 2022. Treatments consisted of four levels of foliar application of Zargreen amino acid fertilizer (with concentrations of 0, 2.5, 5, and 7.5 L/1000L), and three soil moisture levels (field capacity (without stress), 75 and 50% of field capacity, FC). During the growing season three times; 1.5 months (at the end of vegetative growth and beginning of flowering), 2.5 months (at the stage of fruit development), and 3 months (at the stage of fruit ripening) after planting, Zargreen organic liquid fertilizer solutions were used with the mentioned concentrations for foliar spraying. The interaction effect of Zargreen organic fertilizer and moisture levels showed that the highest greenness index was observed with the highest level of soil moisture stress and the highest level of applied organic fertilizer. Application of 2.5, 5, and 7.5 L/1000L of Zargeen fertilizer increased the mean value of plant height by 8, 9, and 14%, respectively, compared to the control. The lowest shoot fresh weight was obtained without application of the organic fertilizer at the highest level of applied moisture stress. While at the same stress level, the highest shoot fresh weight was observed with the addition of 7.5 L/1000L of the organic fertilizer. The highest shoot zinc and copper concentrations were obtained in the plants grown at the highest moisture stress and the highest level of organic fertilizer application. It can be concluded that adding organic compounds improves the plant's tolerance to environmental stresses by modifying the physiological processes of the plant.

Although micronutrients are required by plants in small amounts, they play an important role in plant growth and development. Plant structure, plant enzyme system, formation and degradation of proteins, and production of plant hormones such as gibberellic acid and chlorophyll are affected by micronutrients including iron and zinc. The soil of most regions of Iran has an alkaline pH and is poor in terms of micronutrients, which has occurred as a result of lack of rainfall, a lot of salts such as carbonates and bicarbonates, unfavorable management of irrigation, destruction of vegetation, fallow, indiscriminate plowing, etc. Therefore, organic fertilizers enriched with micronutrients are suitable alternatives due to their high amounts of organic matter content, and their role in improving soil properties. Organic fertilizers have high amounts of macronutrients such as nitrogen and potassium but the amount of their micronutrients is relatively low. Therefore, mixing iron and zinc metals with the organic fertilizer induces the increased available iron and zinc in the organic fertilizer. The increase in the available concentration of iron and zinc can be due to reduction conditions by the organic fertilizer induced. Adding enriched fertilizers with iron and zinc metal scrap to the soil, while eliminating iron and zinc deficiency, reduces the cost of producing chemical fertilizers and their import, and prevents environmental pollution caused by the consumption of these fertilizers and the accumulation of metal scraps. Considering that the effect of fertilizers enriched with metal iron and zinc on the soil has not been studied so far, in this research, the effect of cow manure compost enriched with iron and zinc metal scraps on the concentrations of iron and zinc in soils with different textures was investigated.

In order to investigate the effect of cow manure compost enriched with iron and zinc metal particles on the amount of iron and zinc in soils with different textures, an experiment was carried out in the form of split plots-factorial in a completely randomized block design. The main factor includes soil texture in three types heavy, medium, and light texture. The secondary factors include iron-enriched cow manure compost and zinc-enriched cow manure compost in two levels of zero and 30 t ha-1. At first, the produced cow manure compost was passed through a two mm sieve to remove extra materials (gravel and straw pieces). For enrichment, two percent of iron and zinc scraps were added to 100 gr of dry matter of cow manure compost that was saturated in plastic containers and kept for 60 days under laboratory and moisture conditions. After the enrichment process, the cow manure compost with iron and zinc metal scraps of two percent was added to the soils with field moisture capacity in plastic containers after 60 days. Then, the soils were sampled and the available iron and zinc concentrations of the soils were measured.

The results showed that the use of iron-enriched cow manure compost led to an increase of available iron in different soil textures so that it reached 24.16 mg kg-1 in the heavy soil texture, which was 3.8 times greater than the control treatment in the same texture. Also, the addition of zinc-enriched cow manure compost could increase available iron up to 21.51 mg kg-1. Since this treatment contains highly soluble zinc, the soluble zinc can be placed on the surface of the soil colloids and thus increase the available iron. Cow manure compost treatment enriched with zinc also caused a 3499 % increase in available zinc in the heavy soil texture compared to the control treatment in the same soil texture. The reason for this increase in available iron and zinc can be related to the formation of chelate and complex with soil organic matter components. The interaction effect of cow manure compost enriched with iron and zinc caused a significant increase of available zinc in the soil compared to the application of these fertilizers alone, and the concentration of available zinc in the heavy soil texture reached 70.87 mg kg-1. This can be attributed to the high amount of zinc in zinc-enriched fertilizer (4538.7 mg kg-1) and the synergistic effect of iron-enriched fertilizer, which had a double effect on the chelation of zinc elements with organic matter in the soil.

Based on the results of this experiment, the application of 30 tons per hectare of cow manure compost enriched with iron and zinc metal scraps increased the amount of available iron and zinc in the soil, especially in the heavy soil texture. This issue is probably due to the higher content of organic substances and as a result of increasing their chelation rate with soil organic components. Therefore, it is recommended to use organic fertilizers enriched with iron and zinc along with metal scraps to solve the deficiency of these elements and improve the chemical properties of the soil according to environmental and economic considerations. Also, due to the addition of significant amounts of available iron and zinc to the soil by enriched cow manure compost, it is recommended to consume fewer amounts of enriched manure.

Nutripriming of rice seeds with micronutrient (Zn) is considered to have the potential of optimizing Zn application, faster germination, uniform seedlings’ growth, better establishment of transplanted rice seedlings. The current experiments were designed and conducted to explore the effects of rice seeds nutripriming of with micronutrient (Zn) on macro and micronutrient content of primed seeds, morphological characteristics of rice seedlings and uptake of macro and micronutrients (N, P, K, Zn) for Hashemi rice cultivar through two laboratory and open-air pot experiments during 2021 at rice research institute of Iran. The highest increase in seed germination vigor index (2.9 times) ad reduction in germination dynamics or three germination fractions (t 10, t 50, and t 90) compared to control were recorded at nutripriming with zinc sulfate (5g. L-1) for 12 hours by about 2.28, 2.49, and 2.47 times, respectively. The maximum increase in Zn content of rice seeds (17.5 times) were observed at nutripriming with zinc sulfate (5g.L-1) for 24 hours compared to the control. Also, the highest positive, significant increase in the length of coleoptile and radicle by seed nutripriming with zinc sulfate (5g.L-1) for 6 hours compared to the control by about 25.87 and 18.67%, respectively. The maximum significant and positive increase in root wet and dry weight of rice seedlings were found at about 24.36, 20.00, 38.23, and 38% compared to the control through nutripriming of seeds with zinc sulfate (5g.L-1) for 6 hours in soils with Zn deficiency and sufficiency, respectively. The highest significant and effect on Zn content of shoot and root of rice seedlings were observed about 2.71, 2.91, 2.27, and 2.51 compared to the control through nutripriming of seeds with zinc sulfate (5g.L-1) for 6 hours in soils with Zn deficiency and sufficiency, respectively. Nutripriming of rice seeds with zinc sulfate (5g.L-1) solution for 6 hours could be an alternative solution for traditional methods of macro and micronutrients application (soil and foliar) by farmers in seed nursery.

Conventional cropping systems, dependent on heavy application of chemical fertilizers, are not ecologically and environmentally sustainable; they are a threat for soil and water quality and, in consequence, for plant and human health. Nitrogen fertilizers are heavily applied in conventional leaf vegetable production systems to obtain maximum growth and yield. However, the excess nitrogen tends to accumulate in leaf vegetables in the form of nitrate, which pose serious human health hazards. Therefore, to supply nitrogen from non-chemical sources, such as organic amendments, is a sustainable practice for production of leaf vegetables. Spent mushroom substrate (SMS), which is the remaining material after the harvest of mushroom, is produced in large quantities (5 kg SMS for 1 kg of mushroom) and is enriched with organic carbon, N, P, K, and micronutrients. Therefore its reuse as a soil amendment not only provides essential elements for plants but also improves soil quality. Similarly, incorporation of green manures, especially legume green manures, into cropping systems is a sustainable practice for soil fertility and soil quality management. In this study, we aimed to investigate the short-term effects of two soil organic amendments (spent mushroom substrate and alfalfa residues) and their combination, in comparison to inorganic N fertilizer (urea), on soil fertility, and selected essential nutrients, and nitrate accumulation in a leaf vegetable, test plant (spinach).    

A one-season pot experiment was led in a randomized complete block design with three replications in experimental greenhouse of Bu-Ali Sina University. Treatments were comprised of two levels of spent mushroom substrate (SMS-1: 2% SMS, and SMS-2: 5% SMS), two levels of alfalfa green manure (AGM-1: 1% AGM, and AGM-2: 3% AGM); two levels of the mixture of SMS and AGM (SMS+AGM-1: 1% SMS plus 0.5% AGM; and SMS+AGM-2: 2.5% SMS plus 1.5% AGM);  two levels of urea fertilizer (U-1; 120 kg/ha, and U-2: 360 kg/ ha); and control. Selected properties of the initial soil and both organic amendments were determined. Spinach (Spinacea oleracea L.) was seeded as leaf vegetable, test plant in early autumn 2017. After ten weeks, spinach were harvested and the aboveground and root dry weights were determined. Moreover, the content of NO3-, P, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Mn in edible parts were measured. Soil samples were analyzed for EC, pH, total organic carbon, available P and K, and alkaline phosphatase activity.

All soil quality indicators were significantly affected by the treatments. TOC was significantly increased in all of the organic treatments compared to the chemical and control treatments. The maximum increase in TOC was observed in SMS-2, SMS+AGM-2, and AGM-2 treatments, compared to the control (134, 130 and 107%, respectively). A decreasing trend in TOC was detected in the high level of urea treatment (U-2) compared to the control which can be explained by the faster decomposition of soil organic matter in the presence of higher inorganic N inputs. Both organic amendments (in both levels) and the higher level of urea (U-2) decreased soil pH compared to the control. The initial low pH of SMS (5.6) and AGM (6.2), in the first case, and oxidation of urea to nitrate, in the latter, may justify this observation. In contrast, soil EC increased under the both organic amendments relative to the control and U-1 treatments. Moreover, the adverse effect of SMS on soil salinity was greater than AGM due to the initial differences in their corresponding source materials (5.8 vs. 3.0 ds/m). Available K was significantly increased in the second level of all organic treatments compared to the chemical and control treatments. As for available P, all organic treatments, except AGM-1, led to the significantly higher P than the chemical and control treatments. It is reported that organic materials compete with mineral particles for P adsorption and increase its availability. Moreover, all organic treatments, except SMS-1, significantly increased phosphatase activity compared to the chemical and control treatments. This could contribute to the mineralization of organic materials and increase available P.   Spinach yield was affected by the experimental treatments. The highest increase in shoot dry weight occurred in SMS+AGM-2 and AGM-2 treatments by 235 and 230%, respectively, compared to the control. Moreover, the second level of all organic treatments as well as the first level of SMS plus AGM treatment significantly increased yield compared to the chemical treatments. Spinach P content was significantly higher in all organic treatments, except SMS-1 and AGM-1, compared to the chemical and control treatments. Organic amendments, by decreasing the surface adsorption of P and increasing soil microbial biomass, promote the availability of P for plants. Spinach nitrate content ranged from 265 (in control) to 7807 mg/kg (in U-2). According to the critical limit of nitrate in spinach (4000 mg/kg) presented by European Union, only U-2 treatment led to over-accumulation of NO3-. The two levels of AGM treatments and SMS+AGM-2 resulted in the comparable amounts of nitrate as the recommended amount of urea (U-1). A narrow variation in spinach Cu content (from 6.1 in SMS+AGM-2 to 9.8 mg/kg in AGM-2), all within the standard range reported for plants (5-20 mg/kg), was observed among the treatments. Spinach Fe content was increased under all organic treatments relative to the control, although some disparities were not significant. The lowest Fe was detected in U-2. It is reported that excessive N may diminish root growth and, in turn, reduce nutrient uptake. Spinach Zn content varied from 44.8 (in control) to 71.5 mg/kg (in SMS-2), which was close to the higher limit of standard range (20-50 mg/kg) reported for vegetables, but lower than toxic concentration range (200-400 mg/kg). Spinach Mn content varied from 17.4 (in control) to 32.1 mg/kg (in SMS-2), which was close to the lower limit of the standard range (40-400 mg/kg) reported for plants.

The most appropriate treatments in view of improving yield and soil quality (i.e., optimum TOC, P, and K; and lower EC) as well as tolerable nitrate accumulation were SMA+AGM-1 and SMS-1 in decreasing order. These treatments are preferred over the chemical treatments (U-1 and U-2).

Arsenic as aheavy metal, is one of the most important pollutant in the environment that has a detrimental effect on the morphological, physiological and biochemical properties of rice. Zinc application is one of the way to reduce negative effects of arsenic. For this purpose, an outdoor experiment was performed in the form of three-factor factorial experiment based on complete randomized design with three replications at the Rice Research Institute of Iran (Rasht) during growing season in 2019. The proposed factors were zinc at three levels (0, 10 and 20 mgkg-1) as zinc sulfate, arsenic at three levels (0, 1 and 2 mg kg-1) as Arsenic oxide, and three  rice cultivars (Hashemi, Gilaneh, Ghodsi). The results indicated that all factors had significant effect on the amount of zinc uptake in the soil, straw and grain, amount of arsenic in the soil, straw and grain, plant height, total and fertile tiller number, panicle length, 1000-seed weight, biomass and grain yield.   The uppermost increase in plant height, total tiller number, fertile tillers, panicle length, 1000-seed weight and grain yield were recorded 1.5, 68.4, 85.05, 31.5, 6.6 and 58.5 percent, respectively due to soil application of 20 mg zinc per kg-1. In terms of zinc uptake by straw and grain, Hashemi cultivar> Ghodsi cultivar> Gilaneh cultivar  showed the highest zinc content, respectively, which Hashemi and Ghodsi cultivars are more efficient in terms of zinc uptake and are more tolerant to arsenic. The highest amount of arsenic in straw and grain was observed in Gilaneh> Ghodsi> Hashemi cultivars, respectively. Therefore, due to the interaction of zinc with arsenic, the use of zinc and cultivars with high zinc uptake capacity might be a good way to reduce arsenic toxicity in rice plants.

Zinc deficiency is the most widespread soil nutritional disorder of the paddy fields that its management is more complex due to its influence on soil properties, and therefore, requires knowledge of the proper application rates, fertilizer types, and application methods in various soil conditions. The current two-year outdoor pot experiment study was conducted to explain the effect of Zn fertilizers types and application methods on the morphological characters, yield, and yield component of the Hashemi rice variety. The three factors factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design with three replications at the rice research institute of Iran in 2018-2019. The experimental factors were: Zn fertilizer types (four levels), application methods (three levels), and Zn deficit paddy soils (four levels). The results indicated that all fertilizer types and application methods significantly influenced the measured plant and soil characters. The most effective treatments on soil available Zn, plant height, total tiller numbers, panicle length, grain yield was the soil application of 20 kg Zn ha-1 in the source of Zn Sulphate by around 8.6 times, 10, 50, 29.3 and 50%, respectively, and also for straw yield was the three stages Zn foliar application in the rate of 0.5% in the source of Zn Sulphate by about 50%. Thus, it can be concluded that despite the various soil characters of the studied paddy fields, the soil application of 20 kg Zn ha-1 followed by the three stages Zn foliar application at the rate of 0.5% both in the source of Zn Sulphate can enhance the rice grain and straw yield considerably.

Phosphorus (P) as the second most important macronutrients and zinc (Zn) as the most important micronutrient that the effects due their deficiency causes the most widespread nutrienal disorders in the world paddy fields. The current study conducted to invetstigate the effect of Zn and P foliar application on the morphological characters, yield and yield component of two rice varieties (Hashemi and Shiroudi). The three factors factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized blocks design with three replications at rice research institute of Iran (Deputy of Amol) in 2017-2018. The reults indicated that the highest rate and the percentage increase through the applied treatments (Zn and P foliar application at the start of the booting and (or) the ripening stages increasd the traits of Hashemi and Shirioodi cultivars as follows: grain yield, 4020 (17.5%) and 6571 (9%) kg ha-1; biological yield, 9884 (16%) and 12640 (20%); harvest index, 45 (8%) and 54 20) present; filled grain number, and 114 (10) and 156 (6%). Also the maximum number of filled grain was recorded for Hashemi and Shirioodiat by about 114 (10% increase) and 156 (6% increase), respectively, and the highest number of unfilled grain was observed around 5 (10% reduce) and 14 (40% reduce) in the Hashemi and Shiroudi varieties, respectively due to foliar application of Zn at the grain filling stages. It can be concluded that the foliar application of Zn and P at the start of the booting and the grain filling stages might be the proper treatment to enhance the studied rice cultivars yield and yield component.

Modern technologies, such as biotechnology and nanotechnology, play an important role in increasing production and improving the quality of food produced by farmers. Salinity also directly affects the absorption of nutrients elements. This study aims to investigate the use of nano-chelate with ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) and Humic Acid (HA) base as fertilizer agents on Sunflower.

This study was done as a pot experiment as a factorial in a completely randomized design including two levels of iron nano-chelate fertilizer (ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid and Humic Acid) and two methods of application of fertilizers (foliar application with the level of one gram per Liter and soil application with the level of one gram per kilogram with the control) in three replications in the research greenhouse of Zabol University. Five sunflower seeds were used for cultivation. The treatments were applied in two ways that are soil use and spraying form, when plants are 4 to 6 leaves the tratments have been used in 4 steps and at intervals of 15 days. The pots were irrigated by distilled water and weighting method during the experiment period. Some growth parameters, chlorophyll content as well as nutrients (Fe, Zn, P, K) of sunflower shoot (Helianthus annuus) under permanent salinity conditions were investigated about two months after planting. Statistical analysis was performed on the basis of SAS software and Analysis of data variance was done based on ANOVA software. The mean of measured indices was categorized using Duncan test at the level of 0.05.

Results showed that the interactions of fertilizer type and its method of use have a significant effect on the shoot indexes (dry weight, leaf number and plant height), leaf chlorophyll content (a, b, total and carotenoids) and nutrient concentration (Fe, Zn, P, K) of sunflower plant (p≤0.01). Comparison of the means showed that spraying EDTA-based iron nano-chelate increases dry weight of shoot, the number of leaves and plant height (1.15, 1.21 and 1.05 times, respectively), the level of leaf carotenoid (1.76 times) and also Fe concentration in the shoot (2.37 times) compared to the control. Moreover, in EDTA-based iron nano-chelate soil application, the concentration of phosphorus and potassium elements is respectively increased 1.59 and 1.94 than control.

According to the results, spraying EDTA-based iron nano-chelate improved most of the sunflower growth parameters, which shows the superiority of this Nano-fertilizer to HA-based iron Nano-chelate in saline soils.

Determining the relative distribution of each chemical form of the elements and their relationship with the physical, chemical, and clay mineralogical properties of soils can help researchers to achieve the sustainable agricultural management. The present study was conducted to evaluate the chemical forms of four micronutrients (Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn) in some surface and subsurface soils of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad province and their relationship with the physical, chemical and mineralogical properties of the soils. The results showed that the exchangeable and sorbed chemical forms of the studied elements were very low and negligible, but the residual, carbonate, and organic forms had the highest to lowest values of the chemical forms of these elements, respectively. Examination of the correlation of the chemical forms of these elements with soil properties showed the effective correlation of organic carbon values with the Zn chemical forms; also, there was a correlation between clay, silt, cation exchange capacity and calcium carbonate and the chemical forms of Cu, Fe and Mn. The correlation between the quantities of clay minerals and the chemical forms of these elements showed that the amounts of different forms of the studied elements were directly related to 2:1 clay silicate minerals (especially vermiculite). Evaluation of Fe and Mn chemical forms  also showed that the amounts of these elements were higher in the  soils with developed profiles (Alfisol and Mollisol), the  wetter climate and zeric moisture regime rather  than in soils with non-developed profiles (Entisols and Inceptisols) and a drier climate and a ustic moisture regime. In general, the results showed that variations of soil forming factors such as climate (as well as the  total amount of each micronutrients), could be effective on the chemical forms of micronutrients (especially on Mn and Fe);  these can be effective in the management of weakly to highly-developed soils orders.

The main objective of the current research was to evaluate the effect of Cd concentrations on the growth, uptake of P, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn of alfalfa plant mycorrhized by Rhizophagus intraradices. A pot culture experiment was performed as completely randomized design by two factors, including AM fungus (inoculated with R. intraradices and non-inoculated) and four levels of Cd (0, 15, 30 and 45 µM Cd+2) with three replications. Shoot and root dry weights of mycorrhizal (M) and non-mycorrhizal (NM) plants were affected by increasing of Cd levels. At the levels of 15, 30 and 45 µM Cd+2 shoot and root dry weights were decreased by 0%, 8.2%, 25% and 9.5%, 16.2%, 39.8% compared to the control (0 µM Cd+2), respectively. Shoot and root dry weights of M plants were increased by 48.7% and 42.8% compared to the NM ones. P contents of shoot and root were affected by AM fungus, so that the shoot and root P contents of M plants were increased by 54.1% and 49.6% compared to the NM ones. Root colonization and mycorrhizal dependency were affected by Cd treatments. At the levels of 15 and 30 µM Cd+2, root colonization and mycorrhizal dependency were increased by 38.2%, 35.7% and 100%, 77% compared to the control, respectively. Maximum Cd contents of shoot and root were recorded at the levels of 15 and 45 µM Cd+2 in M plants which were increased by 81.97% and 71.99% respectively, compared to the NM ones at the same levels. Cd-translocation from root to shoot was decreased as the Cd concentration increased. At the all levels of Cd, the concentrations of Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn were often higher in roots than in shoots. Generally, with increasing Cd concentration, plant uptake of Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn were decreased compared to the control. At the Cd levels, metal translocation from root to shoot were decreased for Fe, Zn and Mn and increased for Cu compared to the control, respectively.

Nowadays, one of the ways to confront with the micronutrients deficiency is application of Nano materials to increase the availability of elements such as zinc for plants.  Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles and zinc sulfate chemical fertilizer on the zinc chemical forms in soil solution phase and its correlation with zinc concentrations and uptake in wheat. This study was carried out in a completely randomized design with three replications. Treatment consisted of functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles of Hydroxyl (OH), Carboxyl (COOH) and Amine (NH2), each at three levels (100, 200 and 300 mg.kg-1), ZnSO4 (40 kg.ha-1) and Control (without using iron oxide nanoparticles). At the end of the cultivation period, soil chemical properties such as pH, soil available zinc and dissolved organic carbon and concentrations and the uptake of zinc in plant were measured. The results showed that pH, available zinc and dissolved organic carbon content of soil solution were significantly affected by the treatments. The results obtained from the Visual MINTEQ Geochemical model showed that the highest amount of the free form of zinc (Zn2+) was obtained at the level of 300 mg.kg-1 of carboxyl iron oxide nanoparticles. Also, the experimental treatments significantly influenced the concentration of Zn-DOM species. The positive and significant correlation between Zn+2 and Zn- DOC species with the concentration and total Zn uptake of wheat indicated that these pools of Zn could be liable species in soil. The results of this study, therefore, showed that the application of functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles could help to improve soil conditions in order to increase the zinc availability for plants.

Grapes are one of the most important garden products in the world as well as in Iran. The management of plant nutrition under water stress conditions is one of the important issues in the production of the plant. When the plant has adequate nutrition, it will result in higher resistance to environmental conditions. The use of organic and chemical fertilizers as amendments of the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil can be one of the strategies to reduce the adverse effects of drought stress.

In order to evaluate the effect of potassium sulfate, compost and biochar on some soil properties and grapes nutritional status under water stress conditions, a greenhouse experiment were carried out as a factorial experiment based on a block of randomized completely design with two factors and four replications. Water stress had two levels (40, 80 % FC) and fertilizers’ treatments included potassium sulfate (10 g pot-1), compost (5 % w/w) and biochar (10% w/w). The macro- and micro-elements’ contents of grapes’ leaf and soil properties included the macro and micro-elements, pH, EC, OC. were also measured.

The results showed that the interaction effect of water stress and fertilizers’ treatments was significant for nitrogen(N), magnesium (Mg), ferrous (Fe), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) concentrations of grapes’ leaves (P<0.01). ANOVA indicated that the simple effects of water stress and fertilizers’ application had a significant effect (P<0.01) on macro- and micro-elements’ concentrations of grapes’ leaf. The results also showed that under water stress conditions, the highest N concentration was observed for compost and potassium sulfate applications. Without water stress conditions, there was no significant difference between treatments. Under the water stress conditions, the highest concentration of Mg of grapes’ leaves was achieved with biochar application. While without water stress conditions, the lowest concentration of Mg was observed for biochar treatment. With and without water stress conditions, the concentration of Fe and Cu was higher for organic treatments compared to potassium sulfate application. With and without water stress conditions, the highest concentration of Zn was achieved for potassium sulfate application. The ANOVA results showed that the interaction effect of water stress and fertilizers’ treatments was not significant for soil properties except soil calcium. The water stress caused a significant decrease in soil phosphorus (P) and Mg (P<0.05) as well as calcium (Ca) (P<0.001). The effect of fertilizers’ treatments was significant on electrical conductivity, organic carbon, N, P, potassium (K), and sodium (Na) (P<0.01), Ca and Mg (P<0.001) concentrations of soil. The application of potassium sulfate and compost increased the Na concentration of soil as 8.53 and 60.52 percent, respectively. While the Na concentration of soil decreased as 3.73 percent with the biochar application.

Under water stress conditions, the application of compost and biochar in comparison with potassium sulfate enhanced the nutritional status of grapes because of the improvement of soil fertility status. The highest K concentration and uptake of grapes’ leaves and soil were observed with biochar application. Under water stress conditions, in comparison with no fertilizer application, K uptake increased as 69.85, 36.21 and 178.97 percent by potassium sulfate, compost and biochar applications, respectively. Since K is a critical element to regulate the water content of plant tissue and reduces the hazards of water stress, the application of compost and biochar is recommended for the improvement of plant resistance under water stress conditions. However, biochar is suggested due to properties such as highly porous structure, high specific surface area, higher water holding capacity of the soil, the long-term stability in the soil and the reduction of Na hazards in soil.

Phosphorus is one of the most used fertilizer macronutrients and in calcareous soils of Iran, its absorption is limited. On the other hand, considering the problems caused by the soil use of micronutrients, it is possible to modify the effects of phosphorus deficiency by spraying micronutrients. This study was conducted as factorial in a completely randomized design in three replications to investigate the effect of leaf nutrition of micronutrients (iron, zinc and copper) on the absorption of nutrients of Mentha aquatica L. in phosphorus deficiency conditions. Experimental treatments consisted of no deficiency (control) and two levels of phosphorus deficiency and foliar application of Fe2+, Zn2+ and Cu2+ in concentration of 1 and 2%. Deficient plants showed a significant decrease in P content of root. Spraying Fe2+ and Cu2+ 2% caused increase in P content under deficiency. Foliar nutrition with iron, zinc and copper caused decrease in nitrogen and phosphorus content in deficient plants. Applying zinc and iron as spraying caused increase in NO3− content in shoots and roots. In the present study, spraying zinc, iron and copper caused increase in their contents in shoots and roots of Mentha. Spraying Fe2+ 2% caused increase in P, NO3− and Fe2+ contents in shoots of Mentha plant. The orthogonal comparison results showed that there was a significant difference in nutrients content between foliar application of micronutrients and control and also between foliar application of iron compare to copper and zinc and foliar application of zinc compared to copper in shoots and roots of Mentha. Regarding the obtained results, leaf nutrition of micronutrients as spraying can be mentioned as a suitable suggestion to reduce the effects of macronutrients deficiency, especially phosphorus. It seems that spraying iron and zinc showed the highest effect in absorption of other nutrients in shoots, also spraying copper had the highest effect in roots.

Land use change from forest and pasture to Rosa damascena Mill orchard can affect many soil properties and fertility. Thirty-six surface soil samples from different land uses including forest, pasture and Rosa damascena Mill orchard were collected from Morvarid region (Darab, Fars province) to evaluate the effect of land use change on soil properties and fertility. Different soil properties, macro- and micronutrients availability and soil potassium forms were determined. Results showed that the content of organic matter, soil pH and cation exchange capacity in the orchard soil were significantly lower than those in the forest and pasture soils. The nitrogen content in the orchard soil was significantly lower than that in the other land uses, however the content of available P in the orchard soil was significantly higher than that in the forest and pasture soils (39 vs. 22 and 24 mg kg-1, respectively). The availability of manganese, zinc and copper in the orchard soil was significantly higher than those in the forest and pasture soils. The contents of exchangeable K in the forest soil (749 mg kg-1) and non- exchangeable K in the orchard soil (1344 mg kg-1) were significantly higher than those in the other land uses. Generally, farmers may change the soil properties and fertility with addition of chemical fertilizers, disturbing the soil and harvesting some aerial parts of plants. Changes in soil properties and nutrients availability must be considered in agricultural land management and the results of this research, for example the decrease in content of some macronutrients and organic matter due to the land use change from forest and rangeland to orchard, can be useful to predict the consequences of land use change in the studied region and other similar regions. It is recommended that in order to maintenance of nutrients balance in orchards, P fertilizers application should be done with more consideration and the decrease in the contents of organic matter and such macronutrients as N and K should be recompensed with organic and inorganic fertilizers application.

Tomato is one of the most important vegetables that are used by human. High price of tomato due to its out of season production in Bushehr province has made a great tendency for farmers of this area to cultivate it in fall and winter in nearly 12000 hectares in the province. Mean annual precipitation is about 250 mm per year. Maximum and minimum annual temperatures are 51 and -1 Celsius degrees. Mean annual evaporation is 3000 mm. Recent droughts and going down of water table because of over usage of underground water are main problems of this region that have enforced farmers to decrease irrigation water utilization and try to increase water use efficiency by using new technologies. Therefore, any new technical methods which can increase water use efficiency will help crop production quality and quantity and result in yield stability in the region. Many researchers have proved that mycorrhizal fungi can improve agricultural systems sustainability because of their ability to increase water absorption due to their long and expanded hyphae. Also they are known to increase nutrient uptake from soils even poor in minerals. Therefore, a greenhouse project was designed to
determine the effect of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on nutrients uptake and water use efficiency of tomato under drought stress in Bushehr province in southern Iran. The experiment was carried out on completely randomized block design in factorial with three replications during 2016-2017 in the greenhouse of Bushehr agricultural and natural resources research organization located in Southern Iran. Factors were as follows: 1) four Arbuscularmycorrhizal fungi (Glomus mosseae، Glomus intraradices ،Glomus vsersiform and Glomus caledonium) and a control (without inoculation), 2) irrigation at three levels based on soil moisture depletion at I1=25, I2=50 and I3=70 percent of available water to show stress (from non-stress to low and high stress levels). Soil used for this experiment was dried in sunshine for one month to be evacuated from any native fungi. Soils of the region are calcareous ones with low salinity limitation (EC= 3. 70 dS/m) and poor nutrition elements and slightly alkali (pH=7. 9). Inoculation of roots by fungi was done by pouring one spoon of fungi near tomato roots while cultivating the transported seedlings in the pot. This would help the roots to be exposed to fungi directly while spreading through growing. Irrigation water used were 22. 3, 20. 1 and 17. 7 liter for each pot filled with 10 kg soil during the season. The experiment lasted 100 days and tomato properties were measured such as yield,  colonization percent, nutrition elements concentration and also, water use efficiency. Dried leaves were milled and put in furnace at 550 Celsius degrees. Roots were soaked in water for five minutes to be detached from soil and cleaned toughly. Detached roots were maintained in small glass jars filled with alcohol and were kept inrefrigerator at 5 Celsius degrees. Roots were then colored by Try pan blue method and root colonization percent was measured by Grid line intersect method. Results showed that interaction effect of mycorrhizal fungi and irrigation levels was significant at 1% level on tomato properties (except for N concentration in leaves). Mean comparison with
Duncan`s test proved that increase in drought stress caused decrease in all tomato properties but fungi inoculation could mitigate water shortage in comparison to non-inoculated tomatoes Higher drought stress decreased colonization significantly. Drought stress caused significant deficiency in nutrition elements such as N, P and Fe, however some elements such as K, Zn and Mn were increased in medium drought stress.  Inoculation with all mycorrhizal fungi improved nutrition elements concentration in tomato leaves. Water use efficiency was increased 67. 9, 49. 6 and 52. 1 percent from non to medium and high stress respectively in tomatoes treated with Glomus intraradices. Using of mycorrhizal fungi specially Glomus intraradices and Glomus caledonium increased tomato water use efficiency and improved growth properties due to the increment of water resistance ability in plant. This phenomenon is caused by higher nutrition elements uptake by roots and optimization of water relationship in tomato in the presence of mycorrhizal fungi. According to results, it is suggested tomato roots inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi especially in regions with high water stress potential.

The diagnosis and recommendation integrated system (DRIS) and deviation of optimal percentage (DOP) methods are used for interpreting the results of leaf analysis. In the present study, leaf samples from 98 wheat fields were collected in Moghan region of Ardebil province in 2014-2015. The nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu) and boron (B) concentrations were determined. The wheat fields were grouped into high- and low-yielding subpopulation by using mean ± SD; then, the DOP and DRIS indexes were calculated. Based on the DOP and DRIS indices, the nutrient requirement order were determined as: Zn> Cu> Fe> Mn> P> N> K = Ca> Mg> B, and Zn> Mn = Fe = Cu> N = P> B > K> Mg > Ca, respectively. These results showed that there was a high degree of similarity between the two methods in interpreting the results of leaf analysis. After identifying the negative indices of some micronutrients (Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu), a factorial field validation experiment was conducted with foliar application of Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn using a randomized complete block design with three replications in two separate fields, with a total number of 96 plots, in 2015-2016. The results of the validation experiment showed marked decrease in the DRIS and DOP indices, indicating a more balanced concentration of nutrients. The order of the nutrients requirement in the DRIS method was Mg> P> N = K> Fe = B> Mn = Zn> Ca = Cu and in the DOP method Mg > N > Mn > P > K = Fe = Cu > Zn = B > Ca, which indicated the correct diagnosis of micronutrients deficiency by both studied methods. Micronutrients treatment in the validation test led to 28% increase in yield by balancing the nutrients. Since micronutrients, especially Zn, ranked the first priority of the deficiency for wheat in Moghan area, micronutrients should be used along with the phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizers.

Suitable soil and availability of adequate nutrient elements are necessary for successful plant production. Nutrient elements not only should be in readily available form but also their balance is important. Organic matter and soil amendments that are used in soil reclamation or for prevailing the stress conditions can influence the concentration of nutrient elements. Therefore, this research aimed to evaluate the effect of cattle manure biochar on the chemical composition of spinach (Virofly var.) grown at different water conditions of a calcareous soil by conducting a factorial greenhouse experiment arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications. Treatments consisted of four biochar levels (0, 1.25%, 2.5%, and 5% w/w) and three levels of water status (field capacity, FC (no stress), 0.70 FC, and 0.55 FC). Results indicated that water stress resulted in a significant decrease in the uptake of all studied nutrient elements and significant increase in shoot concentration of Na, K, P and N of spinach. Furthermore, application of 1.25% biochar increased Mn, Na, and K; application of 2.5% biochar increased P, Mg, Na, and K and application of 5% biochar also increased Mn, N, P, Mg, and Na concentration in the shoot of spinach. In general, application of biochar and water conditions resulted in significant changes in chemical composition and nutrient concentration and uptake (especially for macro nutrients) of spinach shoot. Therefore, in the cases that biochar is used for mitigating the adverse effects of water stress, probable changes in chemical composition and nutrient concentration of plants should be considered, and this issue must be considered in plant nutrition and soil fertility management in arid regions. It should be noticed that the influence of biochar on the chemical composition and also soil attributes depends on the source material and preparation conditions of biochar, the type and variety of plant, and the studied soil conditions. Therefore, to obtain the wider and more accurate results, it is recommended to conduct these types of researches for other plant species by applying different sources and conditions for preparing biochar under field conditions.

In order to investigate the effect of nitrogen and silicon on some physiological Properties of the pistachio seedlings (Pistacia vera L. cv. Badami Zarand) in saline conditions, a factorial experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design with three replications under greenhouse conditions. Treatments consisted of nitrogen (0, 60 and 120 mg N kg-1 soil as NH4NO3), silicon (0, 1 and 2 mM as H4SiO4) and salinity (0, 1500 and 3000 mg NaCl and CaCl2 kg-1 soil with the ratio of two to one respectively) that at the end of the experiment created average salinity of 0.3, 9.7 and 20.9 dSm-1, respectively.Results showed that the salinity stress decreased the leaf relative water content and increased the electrolyte leakage, but application of 2 mM silicon increased the leaf relative water content by 28 percent and decreased the electrolyte leakage. Also combined application of 60 mg N kg-1 soil and 2 mM silicon increased the concentration of proline 36 percent compared to the control. The highest amount of soluble sugars in saline conditions was achieved with the application of 2 mM Silicon that increased more than 2 folds compared to the control. Although salinity stress decreased the shoot Fe, Mn and Zn concentrations significantiy, but application of the nitrogen and silicon increased the concentration of these elements significantiy. According to the results of this experiment, it is concluded that the combined application of nitrogen and silicon in saline conditions through improving the physiological Properties increased the ability of pistachio seedlings in tolerance to salinity stress.