The Effect of Seed Priming and Foliar Application in Conventional and Nano Forms on Quantitative and Qualitative Performance of Safflower

After being sprayed, nano-particles easily enter the leaves through the plant's stomatal system due to their small dimensions. Moreover, the significant increase in the molecular surface area of nano materials enhances their reactivity, consequently improving the plant's ability to utilize these compounds.

The present study was designed as a factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) at the research farm of the Central Station of the Agricultural Research and Education Center of Tehran Province. The study aimed to investigate the effects of foliar application in the form of seven treatments on the quantitative and qualitative performance and yield of the Goldasht safflower cultivar. The seven treatments included no spraying (control), spraying with normal and nano zinc, spraying with normal and nano iron, spraying with normal and nano manganese, and seed priming at three levels of non-priming (control), osmo-priming, and hydro-priming.

The results showed that osmo-priming, followed by spraying with nano zinc and then with nano iron, had the most significant effect on increasing all the investigated traits, including yield components, seed yield, and oil percentage in safflower. Additionally, hydro-priming with nano zinc spraying could increase the thousand-seed weight to the highest statistical level.

The study suggests that seed priming of safflower with foliar application of micronutrients, especially nano zinc, and iron, can be recommended as a promising method for enhancing the quantitative and qualitative performance and yield of safflower seed and oil in similar weather conditions.