Effect of foliar application of zinc and iron on yield quantity and quality of canola (Brassica napus cv. Talaye) in Zarghan region, Fars

In order to study the effect of foliar application of zinc and iron on yield quantity and quality of canola (Brassica napus cv. Talaye), an experiment was conducted in Zarghan region of Fars in 2008- 2009 crop season..Treatments including concentration of zinc sulfate in three levels: (0, 2, 4 gr lit-1) and Iron sulfate in three levels: (0, 2, 4 gr lit-1). This experiment was arranged as factorial using randomized complete block design (RCB) in four replications. Iron and zinc solutions were sprayed twice (at first in stem elongation and then second in early flowering). Significant interaction between zinc and iron foliar application was observed for grain yield, seed protein percentage and oil yield. Maximum grain yield (4905.3 kg ha-1), seed protein percentage (37.7%) and oil yield 2124.5 kg ha- 1) was obtained from foliar application of combined zinc and iron at 4 g lit-1. Increasing of zinc from 0 to 4 gr lit-1 significantly increased 1000 seed weight (from 4.24 to 4.69 gr), number of seed per pod (from 19.12 to 22.88), seed oil percentage (from 38.67 to 43.17) and seed zinc concentration (from 33.28 to 22.07 mg kg-1). Increasing iron from 0 to 4 gr lit-1 significantly increased 1000 seed weight (from 4.24 to 4.64 gr) and seed iron concentration (from 64.29 to 79.18 mg kg-1). Ultimately, based on our results, the treatment of twice foliar application of zinc and iron sulfate and at 4 g lit-1 was suggested to get more quantity and quality of canola (Talaye) in Zarghan.