micro elements

Recognizing the potential role of seaweed in improving saffron yield and the utilization of micronutrient elements like Ca, Mg, Fe, and Mn to enhance stigma yield, an experiment was conducted. The study investigated the impact of foliar spraying of seaweed extract and selected nutritional elements on saffron's quantitative and qualitative traits of saffron.This research was conducted, as factorial based on a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications during 2021-2022 in Neishabur, Iran. The first factor consisted of seaweed extract (0 and 2 L.ha-1) and the second factor consisted of foliar application of nutrients including no foliar application (as control), and the defender of some elements including iron (1.5 L.ha-1 containing Fe, N, and amino acids), zinc, boron (1 L.ha-1 containing B and amino acids), manganese (1.5 L.ha-1 containing Mn, Zn and S), magnesium and calcium (2 L.ha-1 containing Ca and N). The use of all nutrients compared to the control (no-nutrients) and the use of seaweed extract compared to no-seaweed application caused an increase in flower and stigma yields. Based on the interaction effects of the experimental factors, the highest number of flowers (68.8 No.m-2) was obtained in the combined application of manganese and seaweed extract, the highest flower yield (33.5 g.m-2) was gained with the combined application of seaweed and boron, and the highest dry stigma yield (0.48 g.m-2) was obtained from the simultaneous application of magnesium and seaweed extract, which were 63.8, 16.7 and 17.0%, more than the control treatment (no-seaweed & No-nutrients), respectively. Without nutrient application, the utilization of seaweed extract resulted in a notable rise in the Picrocrocin content of the stigma by 15.9%, Crocin by 9.5%, and Safranal by 10.6% compared to the absence of seaweed application.Combined consumption of calcium with seaweed increased the content of Picrocrocin and Crocin, while simultaneous application of other nutrients with seaweed did not improve these indices. The highest and the lowest content of Safranal (37.7 and 32.35 absorption at 330 nm) were obtained from magnesium + no-seaweed and control (no-seaweed & no-nutrients) treatments, respectively. Overall, although all of the studied elements combined with seaweed extract improved stigma yield in order to increase stigma yield, application of Mg in combination to seaweed recommended and to enhance saffron quality using seaweed suggested.

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is an herbaceous and perennial plant, which is at least 3500 years old and is known as a golden seasoning and red gold due to its many medicinal uses. About 90% of the world's saffron is grown in Iran. India, Afghanistan, Greece are in the next ranks. Despite the high value of this plant, a decrease in its yield has been reported in many countries. The average yield of saffron per unit area in Iran is far lower than many countries; therefore, with proper nutrition, the yield per unit area can be increased. Micronutrients have a special role in agricultural products despite their low need. Iron and zinc are considered important elements in plant nutrition, and they are available in abundance in the soil, but due to some reasons, their absorption is very low and limited. Nutrition management in saffron cultivation is one of the important issues in the production of this valuable product. Therefore, the present research was conducted with the aim of studying the effect of foliar application of iron and zinc on the quantitative and qualitative traits of saffron in the research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran.

The experiment was carried out in the research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University at Khorramabad, Iran in the crop year of 2021-2022 on 6-year old saffron plant as a complete randomized block design in three replications. In order to analyze the soil and determine the concentration of elements, a composite sample of the farm soil (0-30 cm depth) was prepared and the physicochemical properties of the soil were tested. The experimental treatments included distilled water as control, 5% iron foliar, 5% zinc foliar, 5% iron + 5% zinc foliar. Spraying of iron and zinc solutions were done in two stages (mid-March and mid-April) at 8-10 am. One irrigation was done in early October. Weed control was done by manual weeding in several stages. The flower picking operations were carried out in the middle of November 2022 and the characteristics of fresh weight of flowers, number of flowers per unit area, fresh weight of stigma, dry weight of stigma, percent of safranal, picrocrocin and crocin of stigma were measured. The flower was harvested at the beginning of the day. Then the petals were separated from the stigma.

The results indicated that the effect of foliar treatment was significant so the number of flowers (by 57.81%), fresh and dry weight of flowers (by 20.62% and 80.97%), fresh and dry weights of stigma (by 44.22% and 65.27%), crocin (by 6.88%), picrocrocin (by 11.39%)and safranal (by 9.66%) were increased because of zinc foliar application. The low effect of combined treatment of iron + zinc compared to the control can be related to the interaction of iron and zinc on the saffron plant, or that mixing these two types of elements may have negative effects considering the other ingredients included in their formulation on the absorption of the two mentioned elements or metabolic processes of plants. The availability of elements needed by the plant increases the number of flowers. Foliar spraying with zinc element showed a higher average compared to iron foliar spraying and zinc + iron foliar spraying. Crocin had a positive and significant correlation with traits such as picrocrocin and stigma dry weight, but safranal did not show a significant correlation with any of the studied traits.

Foliar application of micronutrient elements improved the quantitative and qualitative yield of saffron plant. The results of current experiment showed that foliar application of 5% iron and 5% zinc increased the quantitative and qualitative traits of saffron plants. Foliar spraying with zinc element showed a higher average compared to iron foliar spraying and zinc + iron foliar spraying. Considering the lack of zinc element and the low absorption of iron element in Iranian soils, it is recommended to apply micronutrient element foliar application in order to achieve high performance.

Heat stress during grain filling period can lead to the reduction of grain yield of wheat. Therefore, in order to evaluate the probable mitigative effect of nitrogen and zinc application of heat stress on physiological properties, grain yield and protein content of wheat (Chamran cultivar), a split-split plot experiment based on RCBD in four replications was carried out in an experimental field of Khuzestan Agriculture and Natural Resources University, Ahvaz, Iran during autumn of 2018-19 growing season. Experimental factors were three planting date (22 November, 11 December and 31 December) as main plot, four nitrogen levels (0 as a control, 75, 150 and 225 kg ha-1 N from urea 46%) as subplot and zinc levels (0 as a control, 10 and 20 kg ha-1 from zinc sulfate) in subplots. The results showed that the delay in planting significantly (P≤0.01) reduced grain protein, leaf chlorophyll index, cell membrane stability index, grain yield, biological yield, and harvest index. Nitrogen application reduced the effects of heat stress on wheat grain yield so that by consuming 75, 150 and 225 kg N ha-1 in cultivation, wheat grain yield was improved by 43%, 59% and 64% for 11 December cultivation date and 50%, 70% and 55% for 31 December cultivation date, respectively, compared to control fertilizer. Zinc application also reduced the effects of heat stress on wheat grain yield, where at late and very late cultivation dates, with the application of 10 and 20 kg ha-1 zinc, wheat grain yield was improved by 5%, 6%, 35% and 40%, respectively. Consumption of zinc also reduced the effects of heat stress on wheat grain yield by increasing grain weight and caused a 24% increase in grain weight. Wheat harvest index decreased by about 18% due to heat stress. Meanwhile, application of nitrogen and zinc at 150 and 10 kg ha-1, respectively, showed the greatest effect in reducing the adverse effects of terminal heat stress on the agronomical and physiological properties of wheat. In general, in case of delayed cultivation, the use of zinc (at least 10 kg ha-1) and nitrogen (at least 150 kg ha-1) can reduce the harmful effects of terminal heat stress in Ahvaz climate and improve physiological (chlorophyll content and cell membrane stability), agronomic and protein content of bread wheat.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most important sources of plant food for human among the main crops globally. High temperature resulting from delay in planting is one major environmental factor limiting growth and production of wheat, especially in tropical regions. Terminal heat stress during the last phases of wheat development especially in booting, heading, anthesis and grain filling stages of the spring wheat cultivars is considered as one of the major environmental constraints that drastically reduces grain yield and yield components of wheat in Khuzestan province and other warm and dry regions of Iran. Most of the Iranian soils have a high pH and calcareous nature, so absorption of nutrients is limited in these soils. Mineral nutrition of plants plays a critical role in increasing plant resistance to environmental stresses. Zinc is a ubiquitous micronutrient. It is required as a structural and functional component of many enzymes and proteins, and increases the yield and yield components of wheat. Boron is essential for pollen viability, flowering, fruiting and seed production. As a micronutrient, it plays a vital role in nitrogen metabolism, hormonal action, and cell division.

To evaluate the remobilization of photosynthetic materials and their contribution in the formation of grain yield of two bread wheat cultivars affected by terminal heat stress and zinc and boron foliar application, an experiment was conducted as split-split plot based on randomized complete blocks design with 3 replications in Ramhormoz city. The experimental factors were included planting date in two levels optimum (November 21) and late (January 5) to coincide growth terminal stages with high temperatures as the main factor, foliar application in four levels with water (control), zinc, boron and zinc + boron as the sub factor and two cultivars of bread wheat Pishtaz and Chamran 2 as the sub-sub factor.

The results showed that terminal heat stress caused by delay in planting increased significantly traits of stored photosynthetic materials remobilization from stem and spike to seed and relative contribution of stem and spike reserves in grain yield, but decreased significantly traits of current photosynthesis and its relative contribution in yield, and grain yield of two bread wheat cultivars of Pishtaz and Chamran. Zinc and boron foliar application reduced significantly all of the above traits in both optimum and late planting dates except for the traits of current photosynthesis and its relative contribution in yield, and grain yield. Among the wheat cultivars cultivated, Chamran 2 cultivar had a significant advantage in traits of current photosynthesis and current photosynthesis relative contribution in yield and grain yield compared to Pishtaz cultivar, but in other traits this superiority was evident in Pishtaz cultivar.

In general, it can be attributed the main factor increasing grain yield of two bread wheat cultivars of Pishtaz and Chamran to improve current photosynthesis. As well as, it can be used from timely planting date, zinc and boron foliar application and suitable wheat cultivar such as Chamran 2 as three management strategies to reduce the harmful effects of terminal heat stress caused by late planting date in Ramhormoz city.

The most expensive medicinal spicy plant in the Middle East countries is saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Saffron is prepared from dried, bright red stigma .and its value is determined by the color compounds, carotenoids, crocin, and other crocetinglocosyl ester, slightly bitter flavor, picrocrocin, and pleasant aroma, safranal. Nutrition management is one of the main agronomic factor affecting chemical properties and yield of saffron. Municipal waste compost is one natural fertilizer which moreover contain micro elements and compost to be increased ability this elements. Therefore the effects of application of municipal waste compost on uptake micro elements (Fe, Cu, Zn and Mg) in saffron plant and relation with arable characteristics and yield of saffron were evaluated under field conditions. This experiment was carried out based on a randomized completely block design with three replications in research farm of University of Birjand, Iran, during cropping year 2015-2016. Treatments were four levels municipal waste compost (0, 5, 10 and 20 t.ha-1). The measured indices were included of concentration of micro elements (soil, leaf, corm and stigma), pigments photosynthesis (chl a, b and total and carotenoids) and arable characteristics (leaf fresh and dry weight, flower fresh yield and dry yield of stigma). Finally, data analysis was done using SAS 9.1 and means were compared by Duncan’s multiple range test at 5% level of probability. Results showed that municipal waste compost rate improved the concentration of Cu, Fe and Mn of soil, corm and stigma of saffron beside control. The highest concentration Fe (3.038 and 4.334 mg. kg-1), Mn (1.980 and 3.116 mg.kg-1) and Cu (1.094 and 1.802 mg.kg-1) of flower and corm were obtained in plants treated with 20 t.ha-1 municipal waste compost while the lowest values were recorded in the control. Also results showed that municipal waste compost improved the concentration Zn of soil and leaf beside control. The highest concentration Zn (1.633 and 1.240 mg.kg-1) of soil and leaf were obtained in plants treated with 20 and 10 t.ha-1 municipal waste compost. Leaf carotenoids and total chlorophyll, flower and stigma yield were influenced by municipal waste compost treatments. The highest flower and stigma yield were obtained in plants treated with 10 t.ha-1 municipal waste compost. Thus, results showed that municipal waste compost has significant impact on uptake micro elements of saffron soil and plant. Municipal waste compost hereby improved the arable and yield characteristics of saffron under field conditions.

IntroductionRapid population growth in developing countries have resulted to adverse effect such as food shortages and malnutrition. Lack of protein in the diet is accounted for the largest portion. Pulses with high amounts of protein are the second largest source of food after cereals. Among pulses, beans as a supplier of plant proteins in many countries, particularly developing countries has high consumption. Area under cultivation of bean is 240000 hectares with an average yield of 1500 kg per hectare in Iran. In arid and semi-arid area due to excessive exploitation of water resources, the water shortage is constantly evolving and according to the climatic conditions that are considered hot and dry, and sensitivity of bean to drought further research in this field is clear. Humic acid is extracted from different sources, such as humus and, soil and using chelating essential elements improve and increase fertility and productivity of soil, especially in conditions of stress. As we mentioned before, purpose of this study was evaluating effect of water stress and use of humic acid on agronomic, physiological and quality traits.
Materials & MethodsThis experiment was performed at agricultural Research Station in Arak, Iran in 2014. The experiment was performed in split plot arangment based on randomized complete block design with three replications. The main factor was irrigation hold at 3 levels: complete irrigation (control), irrigation hold at flowering stage and irrigation hold at pod stage and sub factor was humic acid foliar application in three levels of non humic acid application (control), 1.5 and 3 liters per hectare humic acid 12% at pre flower satage and pod stges applications. In this study the red bean seed was from D81083 cultivar. In this study, biological yield, grain yield, number of seeds per pod, number of pods per plant, harvest index, seed weight, chlorophyll a, b and a content, RWC, iron, zinc and protein contents in grains and also, leaf electrolyte electrical conductivity were measured. Analysis of data was done with SAS software and comparisons of means were performed with Duncans multiple range test at 0.05 statistically significant level.
Results & DiscussionMean comparison of irrigation treatment indicated that the highest seed yield was in complete irrigation and hold irrigation at pod stage and lowest rate was for hold irrigation at flowering stage. In this experiment, use of humic acid in normal conditions and in conditions of hold irrigation at flowering and pod stage could be increase the yield. The highest harvest index was in complete irrigation and hold irrigation at pod stage. The results showed that the highest 100 seed weight was from control and hold irrigation at pod stage treatment and the least weight was from hold irrigation at flowering stage which shows the sensitive stage for bean is cut-irrigation at flowering stage and maybe the need for water is low in pod stage. Among yield components, seeds per pod had significant correlation with yield. The highest number of pods per plant during irrigation hold was at flowering stage and control treatment and irrigation hold at pod stage had the lowest rate of pods per plant. Most of seed protein obtained from hold irrigation at flowering stage and the lowest amount of it was in hold irrigation at pod stage. The effect of hold irrigation and the effect of humic acid opplication was as well as the interaction bouth. There were significant differences on levels of iron and zinc in seeds. The highest amount of chlorophyll a, b and a were in hold irrigation at flowering stage. The effect of 3.5 liter per hectare foliar application of humic acid could be increase total chlorophyll. Hold Irrigation treatment also had a significant effect on the leaf relative water content in pod stage.
ConclusionThe results showed that the irrigation hold had significant effect on all studied traits. Generally, the highest and lowest yield was related to complete irrigation treatment but in some cases the hold irrigation at flowering stage was the same result. The effect of hold irrigation at pod stage was the same as complete irrigation treatment which this point can be used in saving water. Also, Spraying with different amounts of humic acid showed that the humic acid improved the agronomic characteristics and quality of the beans in range of 1.5 litter per ha. Therefore, Using of humic acid may improve agronomic, qualitative and physiological characteristics of red bean.

The present research plane to assessment effect of manganese sulfate fertilizer on malon di aldehid, yield and yield components of canola hybrid hyloa 401 under non irrigation at 2012-2013 seasonal year in Research farm of Islamic azad university of ahvaz were conducted. Research based experiment split plot at randomized competently block design with four replication were carried out.Water deficient stress in three level include full irrigation, non irrigation at starting pod formation and non irrigation at stating seed filling belonged to main factor and application of manganese sulfate in four level include non use of fertilization, apply 10, 20 and 30 kg.ha-1 were belonged to sub factors. Result showed effect of different level of irrigation, manganese sulfate fertilization and interaction effect of them on all measured traits at 1 probability level were significant. According mean comparison maximum seed yield (3.50 t.ha-1), biologic yield (1035.99 g.m-2), Harvest index (33.76%), number of pod per plant (144.05), number of seed per pod (19.42) and seed weight (4.80 gr) were belonged to treatment use of 30 kg.ha-1 manganese sulfate at full irrigation. In other hand maximum malon di aldehid (18.58 nm.mg-1) belonged to treatment of non irrigation at starting pod formation.

In connection with sustainability of agriculture the effect of biological and mineral phosphorus fertilizers together with spraying plants with microelements on yield and yield components of pinto bean was investigated in an experiment at the Research Station of Rahal Agricultural College in Khoy city in 2012 growing season. The experiment was used factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications and two factors. The first factor consisted of phosphorus fertilizer in four levels (without using of fertilizer, as ontrol; barvar-2-phosphate biofertilizer, barvar-2phosphate biofertilizer together with super phosphate at the rate of 100 kg.ha-1 and only super phosphate at the rate of 200 kg.ha-1) and Second factor consisted of micro element spraying of plants with liquid fertilizer in three levels (without spraying, as control; micro element spraying with concentration of 2% and micro elements spraying with concentration of 4%). The results showed that phosphorus fertilizers, affected except number of grains per pod and 100 seed weight, the plant height, number of main branches per plant, number of leaf per plant, number of pods per plant, harvest index and grain yield significantly. Maximum grain yield were obtained from treatments of super phosphate at rate of 200 kg.ha-1 and barvar-2 phosphate biofertilizer together with super phosphate at rate of 100 kg.ha-1. However, the yields of these two treatments were statistically the same. Therefore, reduce use of chemical fertilizers and protect of natural resources, the use of barvar-2 phosphate biofertilizer is advisable. The effect of spraying plants with micro elements on traits, except number of grains per pod and 100 seed weight, like plant height, number of main branches per plant, number of leaf per plant, number of pods per plant, harvest index and grain yield were significant. Maximum grain yield was also obtained from spraying plants by micro elements with density of 2% and 4% and these two experimental treatments were placed in the same statistical group.

In this study، effect of irrigation duration on concentration of some macro and micro nutrient elements in ‘Thompson Navel’ orange leaves grafted on three rootstocks was evaluated as a factorial experiment in completely randomized block design. Factors included rootstocks in three levels (Poncirus trifoliata، Citrus aurantium and Troyer citrange (Citrus sinensis ´ Poncitus trifoliata)) and irrigation durations in four levels (2، 4، 6 and 8 days). The results showed that rootstocks and irrigation duration can significantly affect scion leaf nutrient elements concentration. With irrigation of two days intervals، the differences among citrus rootstocks for nutrient elements absorption was significant. In two days interval of irrigation (no stress)، significantly higher copper concentrations by sour orange، potassium concentrations by poncirus and phosphor، nitrogen، iron and zinc by Troyer citrange rootstocks were absorbed as measured in ‘Thompson Navel’ leaves. In 8 days interval irrigation treatment، significantly higher copper and zinc concentrations by sour orange، nitrogen and potassium concentrations by poncirus and phosphor by troyer citrange rootstocks were measured in ''Thompson navel'' leaf as a scion. Overall، all rootstocks used in this study، that are common citrus rootstocks in the North of Iran، did not show any preference in nutrient element absorption at drought stress conditions.