The Effects of Zinc and Iron Oxide Nano-Particles on The Growth and Ion Content of Two Corn Cultivars in Different Soil Salinity

This study was conducted in order to evaluate the effects of foliar application of nano-particles and ordinary bulk materials of zinc and iron oxide was studied in two corn genotypes (S. C 704 and seed mass) in different soil salinity (0،75،150 mM NaCl). The experiment was arranged as factorial in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The results showed that in saline condition Leaf area، shoot and root dry matter، photochemical efficiency، the concentration of K، Fe and Zn in shoot decreased and that of Na and the Na/K ratio increased under saline condition. The interactions of salinity and genotype were significant on leaf area، shoot and root dry matter، Na/K ratio and photochemical efficiency. The application of nano-particles of iron and zinc oxide increased shoot dry matter to a greater degree as compared with ordinary bulk materials. Under saline condition، the application of iron oxide in the form of nano-particles had higher effect on iron uptake by corn plants. However، with an increase in salinity level the superiority of nano form decreased. The application of Nano-particles of iron and zinc as compared to ordinary bulk materials was more effective in alleviating the negative effects of salt stress on the accumulation of zinc in tested plants. This was not evidence in terms of iron accumulation. The results from this experiment showed that the application of nano-particles of iron and zinc promoted plant growth to a greater degree in comparison to ordinary materials of these nutrients. However، the application of nano particles had no advantage in alleviating the effects of salinity on plant growth.