Plant Growth, Yield, Macro and Micro-Nutrients Uptake of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) Positively Affected by N-Sources and Rates as well as Foliar Application of Micronutrients

Abstract

This study was carried out in order to give some information that could improve fennel nutritional status and productivity. We studied the effect of two N fertilizers [ammonium nitrate (AN) and ammonium sulphate (AS)], two nitrogen rates (60 and 90 kg N/fad.) and two levels of micronutrients (without and with FeEDTA, MnEDTA and ZnEDTA) on growth, yield and nutrient (N, P, K, Fe, Mn and Zn) uptake on fennel plants cv. Florence. The results indicated that, ammonium sulphate at level of 90 kg/fad. enhanced plant growth, production of dry matter and improved yield (foliage, bulb and total). Nutritional status of fennel plants was improved, whereas the ammonium sulphate at level of 90 kg/fad. and spraying of the micronutrient mixture increased the uptake of macronutrients (N, P and K) and micronutrients (Fe, Mn and Zn). The present study suggests that foliar application of micronutrients could be an effective strategy in bio-fortifying fennel plants with Fe, Mn and Zn to produce foliage and bulb yield with high nutritional quality.