Effects of sprayed humic acid, iron, and zinc on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of niger plant ( Guizotia abyssinica L.)

Abstract

In order to investigate the effect of foliar application of organic fertilizer and micronutrients on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of Niger plant, a field experiment was conducted in a complete randomized block design with three replications at Shahrekord University Research Farm during the years 2013-2014. Treatments included three levels of humic acid (1, 3, and 6 liters of humic acid per hectare), iron (4 parts per million, ppm), zinc (4 parts per million, ppm) and control (without humic acid iron, and zinc). In this experiment, traits of the number of heads per plant, seeds number per head, 1000 seeds' weight, grain yield, and also oil and protein content were evaluated. The findings showed that foliar application of humic acid, zinc and iron resulted in a significant increase in all analyzed traits. The most significant plant response was obtained with the use of 6 liters humic acid per hectare, and the second most significant plant response was seen with the sprayed zinc treatment which was probably due to limited absorption and deficiency of these elements in the tested soil.