Influence of humic acid and nano-calcium chelate application on photosynthetic pigments and nutrient uptake of Gerbera jamesonii cv. Dune

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different concentrations of humic acid (0, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg L-1) as drench and nano-calcium chelate (0, 1, 2 and 3 g L-1) as foliar application on nutrient absorption and photosynthetic pigments of gerbera cv. Dune. This experiment was performed as a factorial   in a completely randomized design with two factors and three replications in Urmia University at 2018. Indices including fresh and dry weight of inflorescence and flowering stem, volume and fresh and dry weight of root, photosynthetic pigments such as chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll and leaf elements were measured. The results of means comparison showed that nitrate, phosphorus, potassium and calcium were more adsorbed than control. The fresh and dry weight of flowering stem and inflorescence showed a significant increase due to the application of humic acid and nano-calcium chelate. The amount of photosynthetic pigments was also affected by the use of humic acid and nano-calcium chelate. The highest amounts of chlorophyll a, b and total were obtained in the treatment of humic acid 500 mg L-1 and 2 g L-1 nano-calcium chelate. Root volume was increased by the use of humic acid and calcium nano-calcium, and in 2000 mg L-1 humic acid and 1 g L-1 of nano- calcium chelate was seen the highest root volume. Also humic acid at 500 mg L-1 increased root dry and fresh weight. In general the results of the present study show that the application of humic acid and nano- calcium chelate lead to improved quality and increased nutrient uptake in gerbera.