The effect of nano-fertilizer of paulownia on morpho-physiological traits and dry matter yield of basil under different irrigation levels

The present research investigated the effect of a new nano-fertilizer derived from Paulownia on some morpho-physiological traits of the green basil plant under drought stress conditions to evaluate the possibility of reducing nutrient uptake problems from the soil by the plant under water-scarcity conditions. The experiment was done as a factorial in a randomized complete block design with three replications in the Faculty of Agriculture, the University of Kurdistan research greenhouse, in 2017. Different concentrations of carbon-based nano-fertilizers, including 0, 50, 70, 90, and 110 ppm, and various irrigation regimes including 100, 75, and 50% of field capacity were considered as design factors. Results showed that drought stress reduced the height, dry leaf weight and stem, yield, and amount of phosphorus and potassium of leaf, stem, and root while increasing length, weight and root volume. The plant nano-fertilizer spraying increased the weight of leaf, stem, and yield, especially in higher concentrations. Using the nano-fertilizer reduced the length, weight and root volume, and this decrease in root growth was higher at higher concentrations of the nano-fertilizer. Applying an appropriate concentration of nano-fertilizer increased the basil dry matter yield by 50% compared to control by increasing the absorption and supply of essential elements for plant growth and enhancing the growth of the aerial parts of the plant. Therefore, this organic nano-fertilizer can be useful and recommended as a strategy to improve plant growth and reduce the effects of drought stress on the growth and yield of plants in drought stress conditions.