The Effect of Some Growth Regulators Foliar Sprayed with the Fertilization by Fe and Zn on the Yield and Quality of Lentil Grown in Sandy Soil

Aims: A field experiment has been carried out under the sandy soil conditions. Its aim was to evaluate the effect of some plant growth regulators (PGRs) foliar sprayed along with the fertilization by Fe and/or Zn on the lintel (Lens culinaris Medikus) yield and quality.

Study Design: A complete randomized block design.

Place and Duration of Study: Winter seasons of 2016/2017 – 2017/2018 at the Ismailia Agricultural Research Station, (30° 35' 30" N 32° 14' 50" E elevation 3 m), Agricultural Research Center (ARC) - Egypt.

Methodology: The PGRs foliar sprayed included the recommended doses of gibberellic acid (GA3, 100 ppm), salicylic acid (SA, 100 ppm), K-humate (6000 ppm) and K-silicate (K2SiO3, 200). The Fe (60 ppm) and/or Zn (100 ppm) were applied as EDTA chelated. Lintel grains were inoculated by efficient strained Rhizobium leguminosarum then sowed. Foliar spray of the different treatments was carried out 30, 45, and 60 days after sowing.

Results: The effect of Zn treatments on the estimated yield components and growth parameters was more pronounced than Fe except for the plant height and the number of branches/plant. The Fe and Zn foliar spray significantly increased the lentil seed yield by 20.8% and 28.8%, respectively, compared with control. All treatments significantly increased the protein (%) and N (g/kg) in seeds compared with the control. The humate combined with the Fe or Zn (Fe + H and Zn + H) showed the most significant increase in the Fe in the seeds (by 54.89 and 100.16%, respectively). The combination between the silicate with Fe (Fe + Si) increased the Zn content in seeds more than the silicate with Zn (Zn + Si).

Conclusion: The seed yield (kg/ha) has significantly increased compared to the control in the order: Zn + GA3 > Zn + Si > Zn + H > Fe + GA3 > Fe + H > Fe + Si > Zn (Cont.) > Fe (Cont.) > Fe + SA > Zn + SA. Lentil may be a Zn-demanding plant and to less extent a Fe-demanding one. Their foliar application along the humate and silicate may be preferred over the GA3 for environmental aspects.