The influence of iron chelate and zinc sulfate on the growth and nutrient composition of chickpea grown on a calcareous soil

The effects of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) treatments on the growth and nutrient composition of chickpea were studied in a greenhouse experiment arranged in a completely randomized design. While the application of Fe decreased mean shoot dry weight of chickpea, that of Zn had no significant effect on chickpea shoot dry weight. Increasing Fe levels drastically decreased Mn concentration and uptake in chickpea shoot. Addition of Zn, however, had no significant effect on Mn concentration and uptake in chickpea shoot. Although the addition of 10 mg Fe kg-1 significantly increased mean Fe concentration in chickpea shoot, the effect of Fe application on mean Fe uptake was negligible. Although the application of Zn had no significant effect on mean Fe concentration or uptake, it increased mean Zn uptake in chickpea shoot. While the application of Fe increased mean Zn concentration, application of 5 mg Fe kg-1 had no significant effects on mean Cu concentration or uptake in chickpea tissues although 10 mg Fe kg-1 increased mean Cu concentration and uptake in chickpea tissues. Addition of Zn, however, had no significant effect on Cu uptake. A significant negative correlation was observed between Mn uptake and Fe rates demonstrating a reduction in shoot Mn uptake following Fe application. Although shoot dry weight of chickpea was negatively correlated with Fe rates, it showed significant positive correlations with the uptakes of Zn and Mn indicating that the patterns of changes in dry matter was in coordination with changes in Zn and Mn uptakes. Since Fe chelate addition may cause nutrient imbalance and growth reduction in chickpea, it appears that the use of Fe and Zn efficient genotypes should be considered as an appropriate practice for chickpea grown on calcareous soils low in available Fe and Zn.