Effects of Iron and Zinc Fertilizers on the Accumulation of Fe And Zn Ions in Potato Tubers

Abstract

The aim of this study was the evaluation of the methods to increase the yield of potato and the accumulation of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) in response to iron and zinc fertilizers. In these studies, ‘Marfona’ potato (Solanum tuberosum) cultivar was used in a statistical factorial design experiment with three factors: methods of fertilizer application (2 levels of spray and one level by irrigation), kind of fertilizers (iron and zinc) and levels of fertilizer, (0, 1, 2, and 3 mg L⁻¹). Results showed that iron and zinc fertilizers increased the tubers weight and the tubers number weight⁻¹ ratio (P < 0.01). Also, results showed that the effects of Fe and Zn fertilizers application in irrigation water was more significant (P < 0.01) than by spray application. In addition, application of Fe and Zn fertilizers resulted in higher concentrations of these ions in the harvested tubers improving their nutritional values.

Keywords:

• potato
• fertilizer
• iron
• zinc
• yield

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank Professor B. Kholdebarin from Department of Biology, University of Shiraz for the literature correction of this article.