Journal of Plant Process and Function

In order to investigating the effects of composts containing the natural zeolite- and the Mg-modified zeolites- (CNZ and CMZ, respectively) on some morphological and physiological traits, greenhouse experiments as a completely randomized design with eight treatments and three replications were performed. The results showed that the using compost especially containing Mg-modified zeolites increased plant diameter, plant height, root volume, root dry weight; stem dry weight, leaf dry weight in comparison to the compost free zeolite. With using CMZ amended soils, shoot dry weight increased 11.8% in comparison to the CNZ amended soils. The amount of nitrogen from CNZ- and CMZ-amended soils was approximately 34.68% and 54.47% higher, respectively than that of the free zeolite compost. Chlorophyll a, Chlorophyll b, total Chlorophyll and Carotenoids in CNZ- amended soil increased by 29.22, 44.29, 32.14 and 19.77% respectively, in comparison to the free zeolite compost. While in CMZ, they increased by 34.88, 76.45, 42.94 and 29.58%, respectively. Chlorophyll a, b and total Chlorophyll of leaves increases as the N supply increases. Correlation between nitrogen and chlorophyll content was about 80%. Overall, the use of MSW compost containing modified zeolite would be an efficient method to improve some morphological and physiological traits of corn plant.