The effect of foliar application of iron chelate type on morphological traits and essential oil content of holy basil (Ocimum sanctum)

To evaluate the effect of foliar application of nano iron chelate and iron chelate fertilizers on morphological traits and essential oil content of holy basil, an experiment was conducted at research farm of Department of Horticultural, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz based on randomized complete blocks design with six treatments and three replications. The treatments were including control, nano iron chelate (0.5, 1 and 1.5 g/l) and iron chelate (1 and 1.5 g/l) fertilizers. Foliar application of fertilizers was done at six to eight leaves stage and was repeated with 15 days interval until the end of the study. Intended traits were measured at full bloom stage. The results showed that the effect of foliar application of iron fertilizers on morphological traits such as plant height, axillaries shoots, leaf number, leaf area, fresh and dry weights of leaf and aerial parts and essential oil content of holy basil were significant. The highest and lowest values of mentioned traits were obtained in plants sprayed with 1 g/lnano iron chelate and control, respectively. Overall, regarding to non-significant difference between 1 and 1.5 g/lnano iron chelate and 1.5 g/liron chelate treatments, for increasing mentioned traits of holy basil, foliar application of nano iron chelate with 1g/l is recommended.