Irrigation Periods and Fe, Zn Foliar Application on Agronomic Characters of Borago officinalis, Calendula officinalis, Thymus vulgaris and Alyssum desertorum

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the effects of irrigation period and iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) foliar application on agronomic characters in Borago officinalis, Calendula officinalis, Thymus vulgaris and Alyssum desertorum, investigations were performed in a complete randomized block design with three replications in 2014 and 2015. The factors applied were (a) Fe foliar application (0, 200, 400, 600 ppm), (b) Zn foliar application (0, 200, 400, 600 ppm) and (c) irrigation periods (3, 6, 9 days). Results showed that Fe and Zn had a significant effect on many factors including shoot dry matter, height, flower production (marigold, borage and thyme) and seed (alyssum). Interaction of 400 ppm of Zn and Fe with irrigation period every 3 days was the best and produced the best amounts in most of the measured characters. The lowest of the measured characters was 600 ppm of Fe and Zn by irrigation period of 9 days. Results showed that Zn micronutrient was more effective than Fe.

KEYWORDS:

• Medicinal plants
• micronutrients
• water