The effect of spraying nano iron and chitosan on the growth characteristics and yield of apple trees Malus domestica Borkh

Abstract

This research was carried out in one of the private orchards located in Al Khalis District, Diyala Governorate for the agricultural season 2020–2021 on apple trees (Ibrahimi cultivar), which were newly planted in the region. The experiment included the study of two factors. The first factor included three levels of nano-iron Fe (0, 15, 30) mg.L^-1 and the second factor included three levels of chitosan (0, 250, 500) mg.L^{-1. A factorial experiment with three replications was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD). The averages were compared using Duncan's polynomial test at a probability level of 0.05 after the findings were statistically processed using the statistical program (SAS,2003). The studys' findings demonstrated that nano iron therapy at a concentration of 15 and30 mg.L-1} was significantly in leaf area, total chlorophyll, nutrient level (N P K) in leaves, fruit set, total number of fruits, fruit weight, percentage of total soluble solids, and total yield per plant compared to the control treatment. The results also showed a significant superiority of the chitosan treatment  at a concentration of 250 and 500 mg.L^-1 in all studied characteristics compared with control treatment. The interaction treatment between nano iron at a concentration of 30 mg.L^-1 and chitosan at a concentration of 500 mg.L^-1 led to a significant superiority in all characteristics compared with the other treatments.