A master’s thesis entitled “The Effect of Nano Micronutrients and Glutathione on the Growth and Yield of Maize”, submitted by the student Najla Sabah Abdul-Sadah Al-Qura Ghuli, was discussed at the College of Agriculture, University of Kerbala.
The thesis consisted of seven chapters: Abstract, Introduction, Literature Review, Materials and Methods, Results, Conclusions and Recommendations, and References.
Objectives of the Thesis:
• To determine the optimal concentration of nano micronutrients for use in plant growth and productivity enhancement programs.
• To identify the best concentration of glutathione, a compound that plays a crucial role in combating oxidative stress and also contributes to regulating growth and enhancing carbon assimilation efficiency.
• To assess the best combination of nano micronutrient concentrations and glutathione levels that yield the most favorable outcomes in terms of maize growth and yield characteristics.
The Student Recommended the Following Based on the Obtained Results:
• Application of nano micronutrients at a concentration of 2 g L⁻¹ resulted in a significant increase in most yield traits and quality parameters.
• Treating maize plants with 180 mg L⁻¹ of glutathione produced the highest positive effects across most studied traits and recorded the best grain yield both quantitatively and qualitatively.
• Glutathione plays a vital role in protecting plant cells from oxidative stress by scavenging free radicals and regulating redox balance.
• The interaction between 1.5 g L⁻¹ of nano micronutrients and 180 mg L⁻¹ of glutathione showed superior vegetative growth and outperformed other treatments in some yield-related traits.
