Impact of foliar spraying of nano micronutrient fertilizers on the growth, yield, physical quality, and nutritional value of two snap bean cultivars in sandy soils

Abstract Background Nanotechnology introduces smart agricultural products which may be a milestone in solving many common economic and ecological issues. Nano-fertilizers show unique characters which do not exist in their conventional counterparts.This work aimed to determine the effects of three foliar spraying of nano micronutrient fertilizers iron, manganese, and zinc as well as the controlon the vegetative growth, productivity, physical quality, and pod nutritional value of two snap bean cultivars Bronco and Flantino and also their interactions. Results Flantino cultivar recorded the highest values of vegetative growth, fresh pod yield, pod physical quality (length, diameter, and fresh weight), dry weight, and pod nutritional value content expressed as P, K, Zn, Mn, Fe, Cu, crude protein, total soluble solids, and fiber. Conclusion Foliar application of zinc nano-fertilizer increased the studied characteristics significantly compared with other nano micronutrients. Also, the combined effect of Flantino cultivar with zinc nano-fertilizer treatment recorded the highest values of vegetative growth, fresh pod yield, pods physical quality and nutritional value.