ISSN 2375-1096
International Journal of Agroforestry and Silviculture ISSN: 2375-1096 Vol. 9 (9), pp. 001-004, September, 2021. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Investigating the effect of iron and zinc enriched vermicompost on growth and nutritional status of peach trees
Kazem Hashemimajd1 and Shahzad Jamaati-e-Somarin2*
1Department of soil sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.
2Young Researchers Club, Ardabil Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran.
Accepted 20 August, 2021
Abstract
Micronutrients deficiency especially iron and zinc in orchard trees is a common problem of calcareous soils. Application of mineral sources of these elements has no performance in alkaline soils. Because of high cost, consumption of synthetic chelats is limited in the country. To determine the effect of compost and iron and zinc enriched vermicomposts on iron and zinc nutritional status of peach tress, an experiment was conducted in a completely random blocks design with three replications in the garden of Moghan Agro-industrial company. The experimental treatments were cow manure compost, cow manure vermicompost, iron and zinc enriched vermicompost, vermicompost enriched by iron dust, and control. Soil samples were taken from 0 to 30 cm and 30 to 60 cm and the treatments applied before flowering of trees. Two months after the full blooming stage, the leaf samples were collected from different treatments. At this time, the chlorophyll content of leaves was also measured. Chemical composition of composts and nutrients concentration of leaf samples was determined. Fruit yield and quality of trees in different treatment was determined at the harvesting time. Results of soil and leaves samples analysis showed the iron deficiency and copper excess of soils in the region. Enrichment of vermicompost with iron and zinc increased total and available content of these elements. All treatments caused to higher iron, zinc, and chlorophyll content of leaves and yield of peach fruits compare to control. The effect of iron and zinc vermicompost was greater than those of other treatments. Consumption of compost and vermicomposts improved the peach fruit's quality. Measuring chlorophyll of leaves is a suitable and easy method for evaluation of iron and zinc nutritional status of orchards.
Key words: Peach, vermicompost, enrichment, iron, zinc.