Effect of Iron, Zinc, and Manganese Nano-Form Mixture on the Micronutrient Recovery Efficiency and Seed Yield Response Index of Sesame Genotypes

Abstract

Sesame genotypes have different potentiality to exploit the environmental growth factors, i.e., the available nutrients. So far, sesame genotypes have not received enough studies regarding their response to a mixture of micronutrients in nanostructures. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the response of some sesame genotypes under different rates of Fe, Zn, and Mn mixture in nano-form. Field experiment was established in a strip-plot design with three replicates during two successive seasons. The response of three sesame genotypes (Shandaweel3, Giza32, and Sohag1) was studied under two levels of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn) package, 1:1:1 (0.25 and 0.50 g L⁻¹ as nanoparticles, FeZnMn-nano), in addition to control treatment, 0.00 g L⁻¹, (tap water). Sesame yield attributes, oil and protein content, micronutrient uptake, micronutrient recovery efficiency, and seed yield response index were estimated. Sohag1 genotype was the most efficient for producing the maximum capsule number plant⁻¹, seed yield plant⁻¹, and seed yield ha⁻¹ as well as protein yield ha⁻¹. The increase in seed yield ha⁻¹ was 15.5% owing to 0.50 g L⁻¹ FeZnMn-nano, compared to the control treatment. The maximum values of micronutrient uptake were recorded with Sohag1 genotype surpassing Shandaweel3 and Giza32 genotypes. Spraying of 0.50 g L⁻¹ FeZnMn-nano recorded 25.6 and 30.5% increases for Fe uptake and Zn uptake, respectively. Sohag1 genotype × 0.50 g L⁻¹ FeZnMn-nano was the efficient interaction treatment for enhancing Fe and Zn uptake. Sohag1 genotype showed the maximum values of Fe and Zn recovery efficiency. Each of Sohag1 genotype and Shandaweel3 genotype whether with 0.50 g L⁻¹ FeZnMn-nano or 0.25 g L⁻¹ FeZnMn-nano treatments achieved the highest values of Fe and Zn recovery efficiency. Both Sohag1 and Shandaweel3 genotypes are belonging to efficient and responsive (ER) group, being exceeded the averages of seed yield at zero micronutrients rate and seed yield response index. Genotypic variations associated with the application of Fe, Zn, and Mn as nano-mixture introduced a promising solution for remediation of micronutrients deficiency symptoms in sesame. Under arid regions, i.e., Egyptian conditions, fertilizing Sohag1 genotype by 0.50 g L⁻¹ FeZnMn-nano could achieve cost-effective mean to overcome Fe, Zn, and Mn deficiency with higher productivity.