Foliar Application of Zinc and Iron on mother plant of quinoa under water deficit stress Affects Its Seeds Germination and photosynthetic pigments

water deficit stress during growth and flowering is one of the most major environmental constraints, which influences seed grain filling and consequential germination and early growth stages of plants. In this study, the impact of foliar application of micronutrients (control, Fe, Zn, Fe + Zn, nano- Fe, nano- Zn, nano- Fe + nano- Zn) on quinoa at 2 reproductive stages (50% and 100% of flowering stage) were evaluated under 2 levels of water deficit stress, control (-0.03±0.045) bar and water deficit stress (-9±0.045) bar. The results showed that germination traits including percentage, rate, mean germination time, germination uniformity, seedling length and weight index as well as chlorophyll and carotenoid content were significantly affected by micronutrient foliar application, foliar application time and water deficit stress. water deficit stress decreased the percentage and rate of germination and seedling indices, but foliar application of micronutrients reduced the adverse effects of foliar application of micronutrients. Foliar application of micronutrients also increase the amount of photosynthetic pigments. The findings of this research show that foliar spraying with nutrients, especially nano-iron + nano-zinc, increases the germination indices to improve the germination and growth of quinoa seedlings under water stress conditions.