Effect of foliar application of Nano-chelated iron and seaweed extract on some vegetative growth of fig (Ficus carica L. cv. 'Waziri') saplings

This study was conducted in a private orchard in Sayyed Sakanian, Kirkuk Governorate, Iraq, during the 2024 growing season to evaluate the individual and combined effects of Nano-Chelated Iron (Nano-Fe) and Seaweed Extract (Ascophyllum nodosum) on some vegetative growth and nutritional status of two-year-old fig saplings (Ficus carica L. cv. 'Waziri'). The experiment employed a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with a factorial arrangement of two factors: Seaweed Extract (SWE) at three concentrations (0, 3, and 6 ml L⁻¹) and Nano-Fe at three concentrations (0, 1, and 2 g L⁻¹), with three replicates per treatment. Results demonstrated that increasing concentrations of both factors individually significantly enhanced vegetative growth parameters. Moreover, the interaction between 2 g L⁻¹ Nano-Fe and 6 ml L⁻¹ SWE produced the highest values for plant height, stem diameter, leaf area, and chlorophyll content. These findings suggest that the combined foliar application of nano- chelated iron and seaweed extract is a highly effective strategy for producing vigorous fig saplings.