Mucilage and seed yield of psyllium (Plantago psyllium L.) in response to foliar application of nano-iron and potassium chelate fertilizer

• Main Authors: D Aghazadeh-Khalkhali, A Mehrafarin, V Abdossi, H Naghdi Badi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Institue of Medicinal Plants, ACECR 2015-12-01
• Series: Journal of Medicinal Plants
• Subjects: <i>plantago psyllium</i> l.; foliar application; nano-iron chelate fertilizer; nano-potassium chelate fertilizer
• Online Access: http://jmp.ir/article-1-838-en.html

Background: Considering the importance of using new technologies such as nano-technology the sustainable agriculture, and increase the yield and quality of crops, research in this direction is necessary. Objective: In this study was investigated the effect of foliar application of nano-iron and potassium chelate fertilizer on yield and quality of psyllium. Methods: In this research, the factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with 12 treatments and 3 replications was carried out. The treatments of this experiment were consisted of three levels of nano-iron chelate (0, 1 and 2 g.L-1) and four levels of nano-potassium chelate (0, 2, 3 and 4 g.L-1) fertilizer. Results: The interaction of nano-iron and potassium chelated fertilizer treatments had a significant effect on the seed yield (P<0.01) and shoot dry weight (P<0.05). The independent effect of nano-iron and potassium chelated fertilizer were significant  on themost traits (P<0.01), number of seeds per plant, and yield of mucilage (P<0.05). Interaction of 2 g.L-1 of nano-iron and 3 g.L-1 of potassium chelate fertilizer treatments, and also their independent effects had the most impact on the measured traits, especially yield of shoot dry weight, seed yield, mucilage content and yield of mucilage. Conclusion: According to the results, the use of nano-iron and potassium chelate fertilizer had positive effects on the efficiency of psyllium.