Agriculture, Environment & Society

Agriculture, Environment & Society

Effects of foliar application of boric acid and nano-chelated boron on characteristics of the dragon's head (Lallemantia iberica (MB) Fischer & Meyer)

Document Type : Original research article

Authors
1 M.Sc Graduate in Horticultural Science, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran
2 Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran
3 Department of Agronomy and Crop Physiology, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
The seeds of the medicinal plant dragon's head are an excellent source of fiber, oil, and protein, and are used to treat a variety of conditions, including certain nervous disorders, liver diseases, and kidney diseases. This study aimed to determine the effects of foliar application of various nano-chelate and chemical boron fertilizers on morphological indices of the dragon's head (Lallemantia iberica). This study employed a completely randomized design with nano-chelate (500, 1000, and 1500 mg/l) and boric acid (1000, 2000, and 3000 mg/l) treatments, in addition to a control group. The results demonstrated that the investigated treatments had a significant effect on the majority of dragon's head indices. The highest inflorescence length (43.66 cm) and number of cycles in the main branch (28.56) were observed in the boric acid treatment with 3000 mg/l of boric acid. The highest number of lateral branche, flower cycle per plant, and seed weight per plant, 1000-seed weight, and seed yields were obtained at 3000 mg/l of boric acid and 1500 mg/l of nano-chelated treatments, respectively. The highest number of seed per plant, plant dry weight, and biological yield were obtained in the treatments of 2000 and 3000 mg/l of boric acid and 1500 mg/l of nano-chelated boron fertilizers, respectively. Application of boron fertilizers significantly increased the nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and boron concentrations in the treated plants. In general, foliar application of boron micronutrient increased the yield and improved the indices of dragon’s head. Consequently, the application of nano-fertilizers yielded promising results due to their higher absorption efficiencies at lower concentrations than conventional fertilizers.

Highlights

  • Dragon's head seeds are high in fiber, oil, and protein and are used to treat nervous disorders, liver, and kidney diseases.
  • This study examined the effects of nano-chelate and chemical boron fertilizers on dragon's head morphology.
  • 3000 mg/l of boric acid produced the longest inflorescence (43.66 cm) and most main branch cycles (28.56).
  • 3000 mg/l boric acid and 1500 mg/l nano-chelated treatments produced the most lateral branches, flower cycles, seed weight per plant, 1000-seed weight, and seed yields.

Keywords

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  • Receive Date 18 November 2022
  • Revise Date 27 December 2022
  • Accept Date 07 January 2023