The Effect of Iron and Zinc Nano Fertilizers on Quantitative Yield of Chicory (Cichorium inyubus L.) in Different Crop Densities

     In order to study the effect of foliar application of iron and zinc nano fertilizers on quantitative yield of chicory under different plant densities, a field experiment was conducted at the agricultural research station, Bu-Ali Sina University in 2013 growing season. A factorial experiment based on randomized completely block design was arranged with three replications. Three levels of  Plant density including 10, 15 and 20 plant per m^-2 and four levels of foliar application of  nano fertilizers including  iron nano fertilizer, zinc nano fertilizer, iron nano + zinc nano fertilizers and control were used. Biological and grain yield, number of aken per plant, number of seed per aken, seed weight, number of branches and harvest index were recorded. The results showed that significant differences existed among nano fertilizers and plant density on biological yield, number of aken per plant and number of branches. But seed yield number of seed, seed weight and harvest index affected by the main factors. The highest biological and grain yield obtained with using 15 plant m^-2 and simultaneously foliar application of nano iron and zinc fertilizers. Also foliar application of  iron + zinc nano fertilizers caused to increasing 21.84 % on grain yield compared to control.  The finding the peresent study indicated that using 15 plant m^-2 and simultaneously foliar application of iron and zinc nano fertilizers, in addition to increasing quantitative yield, by minimizing the negative effects of chemical fertilizers is an effective way to achieve sustainable agriculture.