Effects of Foliar application of Nano-nitrogen and Urea Fertilizers on quantity and quality properties of bitter apple (Citrullus colocynthis L.)

In order to study the effects of foliar application of nitrogen with nano-and urea chemical fertilizers on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of bitter apple, an experiment has been conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Agricultural Institute, University of Zabol during 2019.Theexperimental treatment includes foliar application of nano-N (1000 and 2000 mg/l), urea (1% and 2%), and control. Results show that foliar application of N has had a significant effect on yield and number of fruit per bush, and shoot length, whereas it has had no effect on fruit average weight, fruit length and diameter. The highest yield per bush belongs to nano-N at 2000 mg/l concentration (961.08g) and urea at 2% concentration (864.66g) and, the highest amount of fruit number per bush (12) is found in nano-N at 2000 mg/l concentration. The highest weight of 100 seeds and seed protein are obtained from the foliar application of nano-N at concentration of 2000 mg/l and urea at 2% concentration. Seed phenol content, seed soluble carbohydrates, and oil percentage have been reduced by applying nitrogen treatments to the control. Foliar application of N has increased leaf N concentration, while having no effect on the leaf concentrations of P, K, and Zn. Given that in most measured quantitative and qualitative traits, the application of nano-N fertilizer at 2000 mg/l concentration shows better results than other treatments, this treatment can be recommended to reduce economic and environmental costs.