EFFECT OF ZIRCONIUM IN NUTRIENT SOLUTION ON GROWTH an‎d UPTAKE OF SOME ELEMENTS BY MAIZE PLANT.

A pot experiment (sand culture) was carried out to investigate the effect of zirconium supply, with the nutrient solution on maize dry matter yield, nutritional status in maize plant (Giza 10 v.). The pots were irrigated by ¼ Hoagland solution containing zirconium as (Zr OCL2. 8H2O), at the rates of 0.0, 10, 20, 50 , 100, 200 and 500 mg/L. Results show that the means of dry matter (shoot, root and whole plant) were decreased with increasing zirconium rates. Also, phosphorus content and uptake by maize plants (shoot and root) were decreased with increasing zirconium in nutrient solution. The potassium content was increased gradually with increasing zirconium rates up to 20 mg Zr/L and decreased after that. The shoots always contained extra potassium (K) content more than roots and the highest potassium (K) content and uptake were found with the least zirconium concentration in the growth media. The Fe concentration in roots was more than in shoots. Zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) contents and uptake by maize (shoot and root) were decreased with increasing zirconium, and Zinc (Zn) , Copper (Cu) content and uptake of roots were higher than that found in shoots. The amount of zirconium in maize roots was increased with increasing zirconium levels in the nutrient solution, the opposite trend was observed in maize shoots.