The Effects of Fe, Mn and Zn Foliar Application on Yield, Ash and Protein Percentage of Forage Sorghum in Climatic Condition of Esfahan

Abstract

Improving forage yield and quality remains a major concern of the producer. Among the various ways of supplying nutrient to the crops, the efficient utilization of nutrients by the plants is made through foliar application. Foliar application had significant effect on plant height, the number of leaf, the number of tiller, LAI, fresh forage yield, dry leaf yield, dry stem yield, total dry yield, dry leaf weight/dry stem weight ration and ash percentage. Application methods of micronutrients are very important to attain the best absorption. The results of this study demonstrated that, Fe, Zn and Mn had positive effect on yield and quality of forage sorghum. The highest plant height, LAI, Fresh forage yield, dry leaf and stem yield, total dry yield and dry leaf weight/dry stem weight was obtained in Zn+Fe+Mn application. The highest number of tiller was related to combination of Zn and Mn. The maximum ash percentage and appropriate protein percentage also was achieved in application of Zn+Fe+Mn. So, on the basis of the results, it seems that application Zn+Fe+Mn was suitable to gain high forage yield and gain to high quality.