Effect of Nano-iron spraying at varying growth stage of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) on the size of different plant parts

ABSTRACT: To evaluate effect of Nano-iron on growth and some biochemical characteristics of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris), a factorial experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications in 2011. Treatments were foliar application of Nano-Iron (0, 1, 2 and 3 mg/l) at different growth stages (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 % of ground cover). Results of ANOVA showed the significant effect of Nano-iron spraying time (growth stage) on the root diameter, root pH, °Brix, leaf length and leaf width, and significant interaction effect between concentration and stage of Fe spraying on the length of peduncle. Means of comparison indicated that the maximum root diameter (14.3cm) and leaf width (8.5cm) was obtained from Nano-iron spraying at 60% of ground cover. The highest pH of root (6.6) belonged to the spraying of Nano-iron at 100% ground cover followed by spraying at 60, 40, 20 and 80% of ground covered. So, the lowest pH (6.2) was obtained from plants sprayed at 80% of ground cover. The lowest soluble solids (°Brix) of sugar beet root (19.7%) were observed in plants sprayed with Nano-iron at 60% ground coverage by canopy. The longest (16.17cm) and shortest (7.83cm) peduncle were obtained from plants treated by 0.003 and 0.001 g/litter at 20% of ground cover, respectively