Effect of nano iron oxide on growth and drymatter production of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in a calcareous vertisol

Abstract

Iron deficiency is a widespread nutritional problem especially in plants growing in high pH and calcareous soils. A green house pot culture experiment was conducted to study the response of groundnut to soil application of nano iron formulations in a calcareous Vertisol. The experiment was conducted in a complete randomized block design with 11 treatments and three replications. Treatments comprised different doses of nano iron oxide in combination with FYM incubation. The results showed that soil application of nano iron oxide enhanced the growth and yield of groundnut. Among all the treatments, Application of nano Fe @ 2.5 mg kg-1 mixed with FYM recorded higher plant height (23.5, 26.7 and 35.7 cm), plant spread (23.6 cm, 30.8 cm and 36.7 cm), leaf area plant-1 (2.48, 6.42 and 9.95 dm2) and chlorophyll content (42.5, 48.5, 45.8) at 30, 60 and 90 days respectively. Total dry matter production (58.20 g) was also higher in the same treatment. While, lower growth and dry matter production were observed in control.