Effect of chelated iron and zinc application on some growth characteristics of cauliflower plant Brassica oleracea var.botrytis in gypsiferous soil

Abstract

Afield experiment was conducted out during Autumn agricultural season 2021-2022 at research station of soil sciences department and water resources, Agriculture collage, University of Tikrit. This study was established to investigate the effect of ground fertilizer with chelated iron and Zinc on growth characteristics of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var.botrytis)  in gypsum soil. It was carried out using randomized complete block design (RCBD). Two factors were included in this study, first factor was micronized chelated iron (Fe-EDDHA) added in three levels (0,4,8) Kg per ha-1, namely (F0, F1, F2) respectively, concentration of iron in this product was 6%. Second factor was micronized chelated Zinc (ZnEDTA) added in four levels (0,1,2,4) Kg per ha-1, namely (Zn0, Zn1, Zn2, Zn3) respectively, concentration of zinc in this product was 19%. Results showed that adding chelated iron to the ground in recommended quantity (Fe2)led to a significant increase in stem diameter (52.95 cm), number of leaves (27.21 leaf plant-1), plant height (80.81 cm), leaf area (66307 cm2), and relative chlorophyll (1.01 mg g-1). Results also showed that the addition of ground chelated zinc twice the recommended amount(Zn3) led to a significant increase in stem diameter amounted to (53.66 cm), number of leaves amounted to (27.15 leaf plant-1), plant height reached (82.42 cm) and leaf area reached (67224 cm2). Results of the research showed that interaction between chelated iron and zinc led to a significant increase, treatment (Zn3Fe2) excelled in stem diameter (54.06 cm), number of leaves (28.60 leaf plant-1), plant height (86.20 cm), leaf area (72830 cm2), and relative chlorophyll (1.08 mg g-1).