Response of Qualitative Characteristics of Cowpea to Foliar Application of Methanol and Zinc Chelate

BACKGROUND: Foliar fertilization has the advantage of low application rates, uniform distribution of fertilizer materials and quick responses to applied nutrients. Zinc Playing an important role in many biological processes and as an essential element for plant growth and development. OBJECTIVES: This study was done to evaluate the effect of different level of Methanol and Zinc fertilizer on chlorophyll index, protein content, leaf area index and crop production. METHODS: This study was carried out according Factorial experiment based on randomized complete blocks design with three replications along 2018 year. The test factors consisted of different levels of Methanol in distilled water at three levels (a1: the absence of methanol or control, a2: 10% Vol., a3: 20% Vol.) and zinc fertilizer (b1: the lack of zinc or control, b2: 2 per thousand, b3: 4 per thousand). RESULT: Data of analysis of variance indicated effect of different level of Methanol and zinc fertilizer on all studied traits were significant but interaction effect of treatments (instead seed yield) was not significant. Mean comparison result of different level of Methanol indicated that maximum amount of plant height (153.49 cm), pod length (13.12 cm), leaf area index (4.43), chlorophyll index (58.33), protein content (31.51%), protein yield (68.71 gr.m-2) and seed yield (218.08 gr.m-2) was noted for 20%vol. and the minimum of mentioned traits were for control treatment. As for Duncan classification made with respect to different level of Zinc Chelate maximum and minimum amount of studied traits belonged to 4 per thousand concentration (also that doesn’t have significant differences with 2 per thousand) and control treatment. CONCLUSION: Generally based on result of this study use 20%vol. Methanol and 2 per thousand concentration Zinc Chelate produce the maximum amount of mentioned characteristics and can be advice to farmers.