The effectiveness of foliar applications of synthesized zinc-amino acid chelates and ZnSO4 on the nutritional status of wheat plant cultivated in a soil contaminated with Cd and diesel oil

Aims: This study was done to evaluate the effectiveness of foliar applications of synthesized zinc-amino acid chelates and ZnSO4 on the nutritional status of wheat plant in a soil contaminated with Cd and diesel oil. Materials and Methods: Treatments were consist of foliar application of Zn amino acid chelate (Zn(Arg)2 and (Zn(His)2) and ZnSO4 at the rate of 0, 0.1, and 0.2% (W/V) in the soil co-contaminated with Cd (0, 10, and 20 mg Cd/kg soil) and diesel oil (0 and 8% [W/W]). Results: Application of Zn amino acid chelates had a significant effect on increasing plant nutrient status, however, soil pollution with Cd and diesel oil had an adverse effect. Based on the results of this study, application of 0.2% (W/V) (Zn(Arg)2 and (Zn(His)2) significantly increased the grain Zn concentration of the plants grown in the soil polluted with Cd (10 mg Cd/kg soil) and diesel oil (8% [W/W]) by 11.3% and 10.1%, respectively. For co-contaminated soil with Cd and diesel oil, it was increased by 9.8%. Soil microbial respiration has affected by Zn amino acid chelate and soil pollution. According to our results, application of 0.2% (W/V) Zn(Arg)2 chelate significantly increased the soil microbial respiration in the soil polluted with Cd (10 mg Cd/kg soil) and diesel oil (8% [W/W]) by 12.5% and 13.1%, respectively. Conclusion: Zn amino acid chelate had a significant effect in increasing plant nutrient status such as Zn and Fe that is a positive point environmental study.