Assess Effect of Vermicompost and Iron Nano Fertilizer on Morphological Traits and Chlorophyll Content of <i>Zea mays</i> L.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In organic agriculture, one management goal is to increase and maintain soil quality with a high biological activity. Organic cropping system often has to deal with a scarcity of readily available nutrients in contrast to high input cropping system which relies widely available on soluble fertilizers. Nanotechnology such as using Nano-scale fertilizer particles may offer new techniques in improving existing crop management. OBJECTIVES: Current study was carried out to assess effect of different level of vermicompost and Nano iron fertilizer on morphological characteristics, chlorophyll content and crop production of corn. METHODS: This research was conducted according split plot experiment based on randomized complete blocks design with three replications along 2018 year in research farm of Islamic Azad University of Ahvaz Branch. Main plot included three level of vermicompost (V0: nonuse of vermicompost or control, V1: 5 t.ha-1 vermicompost, V2: 10 t.ha-1 vermicompost) was consumed at planting stage. Also subplots consisted four level of Nano iron fertilizer (F0: Nonuse of Nano iron fertilizer or control, F1: 0.002 L.ha-1, F2: 0.004 L.ha-1 and F3: 0.006 L.ha-1 Nano iron fertilizer) was used at 3 to 4 leaves stage. RESULT: According result of analysis of variance effect of different level of vermicompost and iron Nano fertilizer on all studied traits was significant but interaction effect of treatments only on ear loss length was not significant. Assess mean comparison of interaction effect of treatments on all measured traits revealed the highest amount of seed yield (545.7 gr.m-2), plant height (273.6 cm), Stem diameter (22.67 mm) ear length (26.73 cm), ear diameter (67.57 mm) and Chlorophyll index (2.951 spad) were noted for V2F3 treatment and lowest amount of mentioned traits belonged to control. CONCLUSION: Use 10 t.ha-1 vermicompost with 0.006 L.ha-1 iron Nano fertilizer led to produce the highest amount of crop production, morphological traits and chlorophyll content and can be advice to farmers.