Effects of Foliar Application of Zinc and Iron Oxide Nano-Particles on Growth and Ionic Content of Two Wheat Cultivars under Salinity Conditions

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of foliar application of ordinary and nano-particles of zinc and iron oxide on the responses of two wheat cultivars (kavir and Tajan) to three levels of salinity (0, 75 and 150 mmol kcal). The experiment was arranged as factorial in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Plant height, leaf area, shoot and root dry weight, photochemical efficiency, the concentration of K, Fe and Zn in shoots was decreased, while the concentration of Na and the Na/K ratio was increased under saline conditions. Foliar application of iron and zinc had significant positive effects on leaf area, shoot dry weight, photochemical efficiency and the concentration of Fe and Zn in shoots. The extent of the positive effects of Fe and Zn on the concentration of Fe and Zn was more for nano compared to ordinary form of these elements. The increase in the Na/K ratio under saline condition was greater in sensitive (Tagan) than in tolerant (Kavir) cultivar. The positive effect of foliar application was more pronounced under saline than under non-saline condition. The concentration of Fe in shoots was more for nano than for ordinary form of Fe. The response of Kavir was more positive compared to Tajan to the application of nano form of Iron Oxide. The results showed that the effects of foliar application of nano particles of iron and zinc oxide on wheat may be superior compare to the ordinary forms, however, the application of nano particles of these compounds had no advantage in terms of the alleviation of the salinity Effects.