Foliar Nourishment with Different Zinc-Containing Forms Effectively Sustains Carrot Performance in Zinc-Deficient Soil

Abstract

Among the essential micronutrients, zinc (Zn) affects vital functions in crop plants. The influences of foliar nourishing with certain Zn-containing forms on the growth, productivity, and physiology of carrot plants (cv. Fire wedge F1) and their nutritional contents when grown in Zn-deficient soil were examined in both 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 field trials. Two doses of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs(1) = 20 and ZnO-NPs(2) = 40 mg L−1), zinc–EDTA (Zn–EDTA(1) = 1 and Zn–EDTA(2) = 2 g L−1), or bulk zinc oxide (ZnO-B(1) = 200 and ZnO-B(2) = 400 mg L−1) were applied three times. The data outputted indicated, in general, that ZnO-NPs(2) were the best treatment that conferred more acceptable plant growth (measured as shoot length and fresh and dry weights), physiology (measured as cell membrane stability index, SPAD readings, and nutrient uptake), and nutritional homeostasis (e.g., P, Ca, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu contents). All these positive attributes were reflected in the highest yield, which was measured as fresh weight, dry matter, length, diameter, volume, and total yield of carrot roots. However, there were some exceptions, including the highest membrane stability index in both seasons, the highest Cu uptake and Mn content in the first season, and root fresh weight in both seasons obtained with ZnO-NPs(1). Moreover, the maximum P uptake and root dry matter were obtained with ZnO-B(1) and the highest content of root P was obtained by ZnO-B(2). Based on the above data, foliar nourishing with ZnO-NPs(2) can be recommended for the sustainability of carrot cultivation in Zn-deficient soils.

The Evaluation of the Effects of Zn, and Amino Acid-Containing Foliar Fertilizers on the Physiological and Biochemical Responses of a Hungarian Fodder Corn Hybrid

“…There is less knowledge about what happens in plants after the application of foliar fertilizer. Awad et al [35] stated that zinc-containing foliar fertilizer significantly increases the relative chlorophyll content in carrot leaves under zinc-deficient conditions. In addition, other research studies showed the positive effect of zinc foliar fertilization on the chlorophyll content of citrus [36] and canola [37] under zinc deficiency.…”

Alleviation of Water-Deficit Stress on Seed Germination of Barley and Fenugreek in a Sandy Soil Using Superabsorbent Polymer

“…Egypt is a developing country, which mainly depends upon agriculture as a main source of foods [1]. Despite the tremendous progress in the development of this sector, in recent decades, extreme population growth has become the main obstacle toward achieving the objectives of sustainable agriculture development [2] compared with other factors such as the conservation of soil, water, and animal and plant genetic resources, in addition to organic agriculture, integrated agricultural production, agroforestry production, and crop-livestock-forest integration.…”

Comprehensive Assessment of Soil Chemical Properties for Land Reclamation Purposes in the Toshka Area, EGYPT

“…Furthermore, more than one billion people currently suffer from hunger, and about 33 countries in the developing world have extremely alarming hunger levels [2]. Egypt is a developing country that suffers from food insecurity resulting from extreme population growth [3] alongside limited agricultural land. Generally, economic development is significantly dependent on the agricultural sector, which represents 40% of the Egyptian workforce in Egypt.…”