Celery is an herbaceous plant with two growing seasons. The scientific name is Apium graveolens L. The plant completes its vegetative growth in the first growing season, then goes towards flowering in the second growing season. The plant may be grown in the same year or after the end of the winter season, depending on the cultivar and the prevailing environmental conditions. The first root will be well formed if the plant is left to grow where the seed is planted. However, the first root is usually cut off when cutting plants for seedlings. Instead, large numbers of roots grow, most of which are superficial in the surface 15 centimeters of the soil, while a few go deep to a distance of 75 centimeters. As for the neck of the leaf, it is thick and fleshy, and prominent lines appear on it from the outside [1]. The leaf is composed of 2-3 pairs of leaflets and a terminal leaflet, and the leaflets are lobed. The color of the leaves varies from yellowish green to dark green, depending on the cultivar [2]. The flowers are borne in inflorescences and are small and white in color. The single inflorescences open over several days, and pollen is dispersed shortly thereafter, sometimes before the petals open. The flower petals fall off and the flower pen begins to elongate, but its growth is not complete until the evening of the fifth day of the flower opening. From this time until the eighth day, the stigma is covered with a special liquid, ready to receive pollen grains [3]. It is clear from this that celery has the phenomenon of early masculinity. Celery flowers are attractive to insect pollinators, and the predominant cross-pollination is insect pollination [4]. The celery fruit is considered a split fruit, and it contains two partial fruits, each of which contains one seed. The halves of the fruits are small, oval, flattened on one side, and five prominent lines appear on the other side, which is the outer side [5]. There are oil channels between the prominent lines. The celery seed is the smallest vegetable seed of the Apiaceae family, and its color ranges from light gray to light brown [6].

The celery plant needs moderate amounts of terrestrial and atmospheric moisture, that is, in a way that ensures that the cultivated plants are not exposed to periods of drought, because this will negatively affect the quality of the resulting plants. Celery also prefers high light   conditions, that is,   the plants should be    grown in places where they are exposed to about 6–8 hours of sunlight per day. Celery plants tolerate frost, but for short periods, that is, only about 10 days only .Celery grows well in most types of soils, but it prefers deep, loose soils that contain high amounts of nutrients, and these soils must be good in terms of drainage and aeration. Cultivated plants need sufficient quantities of water to meet their needs, that is, in a way that ensures that the plants are not exposed to drought and at the same time that they are not exposed to excessive moisture because it causes many diseases to plants. After the plants reach the required state of maturity, it is possible to harvest them at any time and according to the need for these plants [7].

All parts of the celery plant are consumed, from the leaves to the stem to the roots and seeds, as oils are extracted from the celery seeds, which have many and varied uses. As for the vegetative parts of the plants, they are used fresh in the manufacture of salads and can be used in the food industry. Celery plants are used in the field of folk medicine. This is due to the fact that plants contain many nutrients and useful substances that contribute to the treatment of many diseases. Celery reduces high blood pressure because it contains active pethalides that relax the muscles of the arteries and thus dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow, which helps regulate blood pressure [8].

Celery boosts immunity in the body and makes it more active and efficient because it is rich in vitamin C. Celery reduces lung infections, asthma, arthritis, osteoporosis, and rheumatic disorders. Celery seeds help prevent urinary tract infections, kidney problems, and bladder disorders because they help eliminate uric acid for their diuretic properties. They also reduce the risk of cancer, as celery contains phthalates and flavonoids, which are components that have antioxidant properties that effectively fight free radicals and prevent the formation of cancer cells [3]. Celery helps maintain eye health, reduces the chances of developing cataracts, and protects against macular degeneration because it contains vitamin A. And a group of nutrients that prevent degeneration and protect the eye contribute to relieving disorders of the digestive system. It has great effects for people with constipation, gas, menstrual congestion in women [8], and some skin diseases such as acne. Celery contributes to the protection of brain cells from the effect of insufficient oxygen access caused by insufficient blood supply to these cells [2].

Nanoscience is the science that deals with the study of materials on the nanoscale of 10–9 meters (1–100 nanometers), because nanomaterials show physical properties that differ greatly from those in the traditional image of more than 100 nanometers. Some materials show a change in surface area and in the degree of freezing. Or fusion and some other properties at the nano level compared to the assembly of particles at a higher level than that [9], nanotechnology is a wide field that appeared at the end of the twentieth century, which made it have a great impact on the economy in the world and has applications in various fields such as agriculture and the food system. This technology is the tool that helps solve the challenges that farmers face in managing existing crop technologies by obtaining high-yielding crops while reducing the use of synthetic chemicals [10]. Therefore, the use of these fertilizers is not limited to their use only in agriculture but has been widely used in sciences such as medicine, engineering, and food. It has also been noted that nano fertilizer particles have a positive effect on plant growth and development and that the interaction between the plant cell and nanoparticles leads to the modification of gene expression, which leads to biological pathways [11]. It affects the growth and development of the plant, as the unique characteristics of the nanoparticles lead to modifying the physiochemical properties of the plant and give a different effect on plant growth that depends on the composition of the surface of the nanomaterials, their size, shape, chemical composition, concentration, solubility, and aggregation, and the response of plants to metallic nanoparticles differs according to the metal. Plant type, growth stage, and nano fertilizers: it's very small in size; nano fertilizers do not need large areas, It is used as a spray on the vegetative system, so the plant will benefit from it faster. It is quickly absorbed, allowing it to be used at the required times according to the actual plant needs [9].

Nano fertilizers help protect the environment and human health. Increase farm profitability due to reduced fertilization and spraying expenses [12] , the use of nano fertilizers helps to reduce our consumption of resources and energy by a large amount, which leads to achieving environmentally friendly economic expansion [13]. The use of nano fertilizers helps to overcome the problems of soil and water pollution and reduce the carbon emissions of traditional fertilizer factories, which cause severe climate changes. The use of nano fertilizers in unfavorable environmental conditions leads to a reduction in the stress to which plants are exposed. Soaking seeds in nano fertilizers improves germination and increases the strength of seedlings to withstand different conditions [14].

For plants, iron is an essential micronutrient because it is essential to several physiological processes, including the creation of chlorophyll and electron transport. Reduced plant growth and yellowing of the leaves could result from an iron deficiency. nanoscale iron fertilizers have been developed as an answer to this issue, which may help crops absorb and use iron more efficiently [15]. Iron contributes to the vital processes in the plant by being an activator of enzymes related to respiration, electron transfer, oxidation, and reduction processes. It is also involved in the construction of chlorophyll, the synthesis of cytochromes and ferodoxins that are important in the process of photosynthesis, many enzymes such as oxidase and peroxidase, and the formation of plant proteins [16].

Iron nano fertilizer is a recent development in the field of agriculture and agricultural technologies, as it is used to improve the growth of plants and increase their productivity. Iron is one of the essential elements that plants need to perform their vital functions [17] ,Chelated nano iron has many benefits, including improved iron absorption. Thanks to the size of the nanoparticles, plants can absorb iron faster and more effectively, which reduces the problem of iron deficiency in plants [13].

Growth also promotes plant development, as better availability of iron leads to enhanced plant growth and an increase in size and quality. It combats environmental stress, as plants treated with iron nano fertilizer can better tolerate environmental stress conditions such as drought and salinity [18]. It also improves the quality of the crop, as the use of nanoiron fertilizer leads to an increase in the quality of the crop in terms of its color and nutritional value [19]. It also reduces soil pollution. Since iron nano fertilizer is used in smaller quantities compared to conventional fertilizer, it can contribute to reducing soil pollution with heavy metals. The use of iron nanoparticles also reduces environmental leakage, as nanoparticles contribute to reducing the environmental leakage of iron, which reduces its negative effects on the environment [20].

The experiment was conducted in a home garden in Al-Diwaniyah Governorate for the agricultural season 2022 on celery plants. Using the method of cultivating celery seeds in pots in order to determine the effect of adding nano chelated iron on vegetative growth and some physiological characteristics of celery.

 Prepare Experimental Determinants

• Agriculture Pots:The soil was mixed [2:1 sandy soil: animal fertilizer] and placed in pots (45 pots) with a capacity of (5 kg)

• Celery seeds: A local variety that was purchased from the approved agricultural offices for the sale and purchase of seeds in the  governorate 

• Chelated nano fertilizer: The chelated iron nano fertilizer produced was obtained from the Iranian Fanavar seperhr parmis company , according to the available information from the manufacturer of it. The recommended concentrations vary depending on the type and needs of the plant and the amount of elemental deficiency

Studied Indicators

A-Vegetative Growth Indicators: Vegetative growth measurements were taken on a date for all celery plants within the same treatment and for all replicates, and the average was extracted from dividing the value of the trait by the number of plants within the same treatment as follows:

• Plant Height: It is rated as [21]

• Leaf Number: calculated by dividing the number of leaves per plant by the number of plants measured.

• Leaf Area [cm]: It is rated as [22]

• Fresh and Dry Weight of Plant [gm]: After carefully removing the plant from the soil, washing it, cutting off any dust that was attached to it, and cutting it, the fresh weight of the plant was calculated using a sensitive electronic balance type meter of Swiss origin, the HK 160. The plant was then placed inside a cellophane bag and placed in an airy electric oven of the Japanese type Hirayama at 70 degrees for 48 hours until the weight stabilized

Growth Physiological Indicators

Measurements of physiological indicators were taken for all celery plants within the same treatment and for all replicates, and the average was extracted from dividing the value of the trait by the number of plants within the same treatment, as follows:

• Total chlorophyll content of leaves: Measured by an American-made SPAD device

• Leaves nitrogen content %: It is rated [ 23]

• Leaves content of phosphorus%: It is rated [ 23]

• Potassium content of leaves% : It is estimated at [ 25]

• Leaves content of total carbohydrates%: It is estimated at [26]

• Leaves fat content %: It is estimated by [24]

• The leaf content of total protein %:  Is estimated by [24]

• The leaf content of calcium, sodium, zinc, iron, and copper [μg/gm]: It was estimated according to [25]

Tables 1 and 2 show the effect of chelated nano iron on the vegetative and physiological growth characteristics of celery plant, where the addition of nano iron caused an increase in all vegetative characteristics and reached the highest levels in terms of plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, fresh and dry weight of shoots, total chlorophyll content, percentage of macro elements NPK, percentage of carbohydrates, fats, protein , content of calcium, sodium, zinc, iron and copper Compared to plants that did not receive nanoparticles It gave the highest plant height (35.21 cm), the highest number of leaves (20.63), the highest leaf area (77.70) , and the highest value of fresh weight (19.46 gm ) and dry  weight ( 4.17 gm) , the highest total chlorophyll content (79.42 ), the highest percentage of macro elements N (3.63% ) P (0.57 % ) , K(2.83 %) , the highest percentage of carbohydrates (36.96 % ) at a concentration (75 mg/ L ) of chelated iron nanoparticles , , protein ( 17.100) , the highest content of calcium ( 235.67 %), sodium (1435.08 % ) , fat (10.52 % ) at a concentration ( 50 mg/L) of chelated iron nanoparticles , zinc (46.52 % )at a concentration ( 25 mg/L) of chelated iron nanoparticles and iron (166.47 % ) at a concentration (50 mg/ L ) of chelated iron nanoparticles.

Table 1: Effect of Chelated Iron Particles on Some Indicators of Vegetative Growth of Celery Plant

Table 2: Effect of Chelated Iron Particles on Some Vegetative Physiological Indicators of Celery Plant

This is due to the effective use of iron nanoparticles to increase the amount of gibberellins inside the plant, where gibberellins play a key role in improving the flexibility and plasticity of plant cell walls, allowing them to elongate, produce food, produce amino acids, cell division, and increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes catalyzed by iron. Thus, it helps control plant growth, enhance plant vigor, and increase plant height [27]. As for  the reason for the increase in the number of leaves after the period of treatment of celery plant with chelated iron, it is due to the fact that iron has a crucial role in the process of representing the ribosomal DNA (RNA) of the chloroplasts in the plant and its participation in the synthesis of the protein (ferdoxin) necessary to build chlorophyll in the plant. All these factors helped to improve the efficiency of the photosynthesis process, which was reflected in a clear increase in the general growth characteristics of the plant, including the number of leaves. The synthesis of chlorophyll, the production of food, the promotion of the flow of energy factors, the intake of food, the process of cell division, and the increase in the number of cells all require processed iron, and this has an effect on the growth of plant leaves. District (28), and the role of chelated iron nanoparticles is to increase a variety of qualitative and quantitative characteristics, such as the nitrogen content of the leaves and increase the leaf area, which leads to an increase in carbon dioxide uptake rates, which causes the continuation of the photosynthesis process, and the absorption of nutrients from the soil, Which in turn leads to an increase in the fresh and dry weight of the treated plants. It increases branch growth and leads to an increase in fresh and dried weight [29], the results showed that the addition of chelated iron at different concentrations led to a significant increase in the amount of chlorophyll in the leaves. Iron is a crucial element in the formation of chlorophyll but is absent from its chemical composition. In addition, iron acts as a catalyst and activator for reactions that lead to the formation of green pigments. And this is done through the formation of a series of compounds that end with the chlorophyll molecule, which works to improve the chlorophyll content in the leaves, and it has been shown that 80% of the total iron is found in chloroplasts, which explains its importance in the process of photosynthesis as well as its role in building chlorophyll, although it does not enter in its composition [30]. The reason for the increase in the carbohydrate content of the leaves may be the entry of nano-iron into the formation of important cytochromes [31] and because iron helps in the synthesis and activation of proteins involved in the absorption of nutrients and transport systems such as iron-regulating transporters, which facilitates the absorption and transport of other essential nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. . potassium, calcium, sodium, zinc, iron and copper It allows for the improvement of essential transport, and iron plays an important role in regulating the transport of nutrients within plants. Plants receive nutrients and a balanced supply of essential elements, which increases total nutrient content while also increasing the amount of carbohydrates and fats in the food that is consumed. Iron promotes germination and root branching of plants, and also encourages root growth. The massive surfaces on the growing roots provide quick access to soil nutrients. Thus, nano-chelated iron promotes strong root systems, which increases nutrient uptake and retention in plants [32].

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