Application Methods of Iron and Zinc Chelates on Grain Yield and Their Absorption in Maize of Dezful City (Khuzestan Province, South west of Iran)

BACKGROUND: Since several decades ago, many attempts have been made to increase crop production. Use of chemical fertilizers is one of these strategies that have increased crop production and fertilizers management is a necessary strategy for achieving sustainable agriculture. OBJECTIVES: Current study was done to soil application, use in irrigation water, and foliar application of Fe and Zn on grain yield and their absorption in maize of Dezful city. METHODS: A split plot experiment was conducted with the main factor in randomized complete block design to study various application methods of iron and zinc chelates on SC701 hybrid maize, and the extent of which they can be absorbed by plant in two years. The main plot treatment was fertilizer application methods (FAM) including soil application (SA), foliar application (FA) and use in irrigation water (IW). The subplot treatment was type of fertilizer used (TFU) including iron chelate (IC), zinc chelate (ZC), and control treatments (CT). Traits like plant height, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, number of grains per row, plant iron and zinc contents, and grain protein percentage were measured in the experimental and control treatments. RESULT: According result of ANOVA for Main factor FAM indicated that there were significant differences only on plant height at a probability level of 99%. For the subplot factor TFU except for grain raw protein content, had significant effects on plant height with probability level of 95% and on 1000-grain weight, grain yield, and plant iron and zinc contents with probability level of 99%. The highest iron content in the plant was obtained in the treatment SA, IC in the first and second year 30.25 and 38 mg.kg-1 respectively and the highest amount of zinc, in the SA, ZC in the second year was 33.25 mg.kg-1, 1000- grain weight FA, IC was 385 g and grain yield in the treatment of FA, ZC was obtained 5.22 kg.ha-1. CONCLUSION: The highest effect of fertilization was in the treatment FA, ZC amount of 163.33 compared to the control in the second year. The results showed that the addition of iron and zinc fertilizer in the soil due to time consuming, is absorbed at the end of plant growth time, which in turn will not increase the 1000-seed weight and grain yield.