Comparison of the effect of foliar application of nano-nitrogen fertilizer and urea fertilizer on pomegranate fruit

Introduction
Pomegranate, native to central Asia, is a significant fruit crop cultivated in many regions. The introduction discusses the importance of nitrogen for plant growth and fruit quality, emphasizing the role of foliar fertilization and the potential benefits of nanotechnology in agriculture.

Methods
The experiment utilized a randomized block design with five treatments: control (no fertilizer), nN (Liquid Nano fertilizer) at two concentrations (0.25 g/L and 0.50 g/L), and urea at two concentrations (4.6 g/L and 9.2 g/L). The study was conducted in a commercial pomegranate orchard in northeastern Iran, with detailed descriptions of the experimental site, plant materials, and treatment applications.

Results

• Leaf Mineral Analysis: Nitrogen levels in leaves increased significantly with nN and urea treatments, while other nutrients remained mostly unchanged.
• Fruit Yield and Quality: Both nN and urea increased fruit yield and the number of fruits per tree. The highest yields were observed with the nN2 treatment. Improvements in fruit length, weight, TSS, and total sugars were noted, but total anthocyanins decreased.
• Physical Properties: Fruit diameter, cracking, and peel thickness were unaffected by the treatments.
• Chemical Properties: The treatments influenced titratable acidity (TA) and total soluble solids (TSS), with nN2 showing the best results.

Discussion
The discussion interprets the results, highlighting the physiological roles of nitrogen in fruit development. It notes that foliar applications can effectively enhance fruit yield and quality, attributing this to improved nutrient uptake and metabolic processes.

Conclusion
The study concludes that both nN (Nano Nitrogen) and urea can significantly improve pomegranate yield and quality, with nN (Nano Nitrogen) being more effective. Low nitrogen inputs through foliar fertilization are recommended for sustainable agricultural practices.