The Effect of Foliar Application of Iron, Zinc, and Selenium on the Level of Glucose and Fructose of Alfalfa under Rainfed Conditions

This factorial experiment with a randomized complete block design was performed in 4 replicates in order to examine the effect of foliar application of iron, zinc, and selenium on alfalfa’s yield under rainfed conditions in Aligoudarz, Iran. The experimental treatments included the iron at 3 levels: the control (non-use of iron), iron sulfate at the concentration of 3/1000, and complete liquid iron 5%; zinc at 3 levels: the control (non-use of zinc), zinc sulfate at the concentration of 3/1000, and complete liquid zinc 5%; and selenium at 2 levels: the control (non-use of selenium) and sodium selenite at the concentration of 20 g/ha. The table of variance analysis showed that the effect of foliar application of iron, zinc, and selenium was significant in terms of all properties at significance level of 1%. The maximum level of fructose was found in treatments with complete liquid iron, complete liquid zinc, and sodium selenite at the concentration of 20 g/ha, which increased the level of fructose by 13%. Moreover, maximum level of glucose, 2.56%, was found in treatments with complete liquid iron, complete liquid zinc, and sodium selenite at the concentration of 20 g/ha, which increased the level of glucose by 15.8%.