Effects of nano and common forms of iron and zinc chelates on some characteristics of medicinal plant black cumin (Nigella sativa L.).

Abstract

To investigate the effect of iron and zinc chelates on some quantitative and qualitative characteristics of medicinal plant black cumin (Nigella sativa L.), a factorial experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications in two areas (the research farm of 1- Gonbad Kavous University in Golestan province and 2- Agriculture Faculty of Tarbiat Modares University in Tehran province). Experimental treatments included control )spray with pure water), and separate foliar spray of iron: iron nano-chelate at two levels of 1.5 and 4 per 1000 and iron chelate at 3 per 1000 and zinc: zinc nano-chelate at two levels of 1.5 and 3 per 1000 and zinc chelate at 3 per 1000. The treatments were applied in the 8-10 leaf stage and at the time of filling the capsules. The application of nano forms of iron and zinc chelates compared to the common forms had a significant relationship with yield and yield components and qualitative characteristics and increased them. Concentrations of 4 per 1000 of iron nano-chelate and 3 per 1000 of zinc nano-chelate caused the highest increase in seed yield (217.47 g m-2 in Gonbad and 288.67 g m-2 in Tehran), biological yield (582 g m-2 in Gonbad and 337.2 g m-2 in Tehran), harvest index (37.43% in Gonbad and 76.46% in Tehran), and oil percentage and yield. The highest numerical values for cell leakage (57.70 µmol g-1FW in Gonbad and 64.72 µmol g-1FW in Tehran) and prolin (13.40 mg g-1FW in Gonbad and 11.51 mg g-1FW in Tehran) were related to iron and zinc chelate treatments (common forms). Based on the results, the application of the nano form of iron and zinc, even at low concentrations, could positively affect the quantitative and qualitative yield.