Speaker
Description
Abstract. Nano-fertilizer performance can differ sharply across vegetative, reproductive and biochemical traits, particularly when crops are exposed to salinity. This exploratory field screening evaluated the Q21 genotype of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) at Jurf Al-Naddaf, Baghdad. Q21 was selected because a previous Iraqi multi-site evaluation reported the highest mean grain yield among four tested genotypes and comparatively early maturity, providing a locally relevant basis for its use under central Iraqi conditions. Six foliar formulations were compared: control, humic acid, Ti + Zn + humic acid, Ti + humic acid, Ti + Ag + Zn, and Zn + humic acid. Before sowing, the field soil had pH 7.0 and EC 5.5 dS m−1; irrigation-water EC was 5.0 dS m−1 at establishment and 4.5 dS m−1 in February. Ti + Zn + humic acid had the greatest recorded plant height (137.4 cm), and Ti + humic acid had the highest inflorescence number (33.8 plant−1) and seed number per inflorescence (1,435). The highest recorded treatment-level seed-yield value (1,000.0 g m−2) and SPAD mean occurred in the archived Ti + Ag + Zn formulation. Humic acid had the highest IAA, myo-inositol and biotin values, whereas Ti + Zn + humic acid had the highest GA value. Because independent plot replication was not recoverable for all endpoints, treatment comparisons are descriptive. The results define distinct nano-fertilizer response signatures in Q21 rather than a single uniformly superior formulation.
