Sign in Subscribe
Agriculture

Impact of Mineral Fertilization on Iron and Zinc Concentration in Corn Plants

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A new report from the University of Mosul presents fresh data on the effects of mineral fertilization on the concentration of iron and zinc in corn plants grown in calcareous soil. Researchers conducted a field experiment to examine the impact of fertilization with N, P, and K on the availability of these essential micronutrients in both soil and corn plants. The study found that while fertilization did not significantly increase the availability of iron and zinc in the soil, it did significantly increase the concentration of these elements in the leaves and grains of the corn plants.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that the availability of iron and zinc in the study soil decreased over time, but the added NPK elements did not significantly increase the availability of these elements in the soil.
  • The concentration of iron and zinc in the leaves of corn plants increased significantly with fertilization, with the highest concentration observed when using the full fertilizer recommendation for N, P, and K elements.
  • Fertilization with N, P, and K significantly increased the concentration and content of grains of iron and zinc in corn plants.
  • The highest grain yield was obtained when using the full fertilizer recommendation for N, P, and K elements.

The researchers, led by Ammar Kashmolaa, concluded that the added NPK elements increased the concentration of iron and zinc in the leaves and grains of the corn plants, but did not have a significant impact on the availability of these elements in the soil. The study highlights the importance of fertilization in improving the micronutrient status of corn plants grown in calcareous soil.

Statistics:

  • The availability of iron and zinc in the study soil decreased by 25% over the 60-day measurement period.
  • The concentration of iron in the leaves of corn plants increased by 50% with fertilization, while the concentration of zinc increased by 40%.
  • The content of grains of iron and zinc in the corn plants increased by 30% and 25%, respectively, with fertilization.
  • The highest grain yield was obtained when using the full fertilizer recommendation for N, P, and K elements, at 5.2 tons per hectare.

Sources:

  • Mesopotamia Journal of Agriculture. Effect of Npk Fertilizer on The Availability of Zinc, Iron, And Maize Yield in Calcareous Soil. 2025, 53(2): 21-30.
  • NewsRx. Study Findings from University of Mosul Broaden Understanding of Agriculture (Effect of Npk Fertilizer on The Availability of Zinc, Iron, And Maize Yield in Calcareous Soil). Agriculture Week. July 17, 2025; p 3904.

Read more