Application of Iron and Zinc Nanochelates Enhances the Productivity and Nutritional Quality of Intercropping Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) and Maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Background: Nanofertilizers are a new product containing nutrients available in Nano form scale and are mainly preferred due to their effectiveness. Methods: This research was conducted to assess a three-replicate randomized complete block design (RCBD) factorial experiment in Roudbar area (Kerman province, Iran) in 2018 and 2019 to investigate the effects of Nano iron and zinc chelates on Nano iron and zinc chelates on agronomic and qualitative traits of cowpea in cover crops was investigated. Treatments included the first factor, the cropping system at five levels of cowpea and maize cropping pattern (PC: pure Cultivation, IC1: 75% maize+ 25% cowpea, IC2: 50% maize+ 50% cowpea, IC3: 25% maize+75% cowpea) and the second factor, four levels of nano-chelate (nano iron chelate, nano zinc chelate and nano iron chelate + nano zinc chelate) and control treatments. Result: The highest protein of seed (28.6%), grain yield (2813 kg/ha) and harvest index (44.4%) was measured for cowpea in treatment IC3 under Zn application alone, while the lowest protein of seed (16.9%) and grain yield (1618 kg/ha) was observed in treatment CPC and harvest index (36%) in treatment IC2 under control. The highest Protein of seed (22.2%) in treatment IC1 under Zn application, grain yield (12050 kg/ha) in treatment MPC under Fe application and Harvest index (54.8%) was measured for maize in treatment MPC under Fe application, while the lowest protein of seed (7.4%) and grain yield (9980 kg/ha) was observed in treatment MPC control and harvest index (36.5%) in treatment IC1 under control for maize. Simultaneously applying nano iron and zinc chelates increased all the quantitative and qualitative traits measured in both crops.