A master’s thesis entitled “The Effect of Nano Micronutrients and Glutathione on the Growth and Yield of Maize” was defended by student Najla Sabah Abdul-Sada Al-Qura Ghuli at the College of Agriculture, University of Karbala.
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 incorporation into plant growth and productivity improvement programs.
• To identify the best concentration of glutathione, a compound that plays a fundamental role in oxidative stress resistance as well as in regulating growth and enhancing carbon assimilation efficiency.
• To determine the best combination of nano micronutrient and glutathione concentrations that achieves optimal growth and yield characteristics in maize plants.
Key Findings and Recommendations:
Based on the obtained results, the researcher concluded the following:
• The application of 2 g·L⁻¹ of nano micronutrients significantly improved most yield traits and quality parameters.
• Treating maize plants with 180 mg·L⁻¹ of glutathione resulted in the highest positive effects on most of the studied traits and recorded the highest quantitative and qualitative grain yield in the study.
• The addition of 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 produced the best vegetative growth and excelled in some yield traits.
This study highlights the promising potential of integrating nano micronutrients and glutathione in sustainable crop production strategies aimed at improving maize growth and yield under stress conditions.
