The effects of applying agricultural polymers and altering watering frequency on the availability of iron and zinc in the soil

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of agricultural polymer application and irrigation frequency on soil nutrient levels and wheat yield in sandy soil. The research was conducted at the Al-Bandar Research Station of the College of Agriculture - Al-Muthanna University during the agricultural season of 2022-23. The study employed a split-plot design with three replications. The experimental design comprised five levels of agricultural polymer, labeled as P0, P1, P2, P3, and P4, which were administered at rates of 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 kg ha-1, correspondingly. The secondary plot was assigned these levels of irrigation. labeled as R1, R2, R3, and R4, representing 6, 7, 8, and 9 instances of watering, respectively.

  The findings of the statistical analysis indicate that the inclusion of varying amounts of agricultural polymer resulted in enhanced plant characteristics. Specifically, when the polymer level exceeded P3 (75) kg polymer ha-1, there was a significant increase in plant height, chlorophyll content, iron content, and zinc content. The average values for these characteristics were 104.03 cm, 51.19 spad, 2.51 mg Fe kg-1 soil, and 0.600 mg Zn kg-1 soil, respectively.

The observed traits were significantly influenced by the bilateral relationship between the levels of the agricultural polymer and the frequency of irrigation.