Microelements are inorganic compounds involved in the synthesis of enzymes and biologically active substances. To evaluate the physiological responses of maize to ZnSO4 and FeSO4 under drought stress, a field experiment was conducted on maize plants grown under different soil moistures and treated with foliar ZnSO4 and FeSO4 applications. Drought stress especially at early seed growth stage significantly reduced grain yield and Fv/Fm ratio; however, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR) was enhanced under drought stress. Foliar applied ZnSO4 and FeSO4 boosted the grain yield under non irrigation at vegetative growth stage and at early seed growth stage, respectively. Between grain yield and MDA concentration (r= -0.73), superoxide dismutase (r= -0.57), peroxidase (r= -0.49), H2O2 (r= -0.67) and catalase enzyme (r= -0.42) significant and negative correlation were observed. Combined application of ZnSO4 and FeSO4 resulted in alleviation of maize plant drought stress by Zn and Fe-mediated improvement in photosynthetic attributes. In addition, the foliar application of ZnSO4 and FeSO4 regulated physiological processes in maize plants and alleviated the adverse effects of water stress. According to the results, ZnSO4 and FeSO4 could be used for improving maize growth under drought stress.
An experiment was conducted in the form of split-plot and random complete blocks with 3 repetitions in a greenhouse in Jiroft city of Kerman province, southeastern Iran, during 2011-2012 crop year, with the main aim to study how enriched organic fertilizer (chicken manure) and spraying methanol affects the quantity and quality of the yielding in Falcato tomato. Methanol and the enriched chicken manure as the two main and subordinate factors were studied in 4 levels (0, 20, 30, and 40 percentage of the volume) and (0, 500, 1500, and 2500 kg/ha). The results showed that the interaction of the two factors on the number of fruits per plant, the mean weight of fruit (p ≤ 0.05), and the stem diameter (p ≤ 0.01) was significant. Methanol 30% caused a 28% increase in yield, compared to the control plant. Adding 2500 kg/ha chicken manure resulted in 31% increase in the yield in contrast to the control plant. Mean weight of a fruit in 40% methanol and 2500 kg/ha chicken manure treatment was 145 g. Finally, having evaluated all aspects and factors in this study, methanol 30% solution and 2500 kg/ha chicken manure were recommended for Falcato tomato in greenhouses of Jiroft city.
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