The application of iron and zinc fertilizers chelated with natural compounds is an environmentally friendly, low-cost, and fast-acting solution for addressing micronutrient deficiencies in the calcareous soils of Iran. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of foliar application of iron and zinc lignosulfonate on the growth of maize (single cross 701 cultivar) in Karaj. The experiment included six treatments: 1-control, 2, 3- iron lignosulfonate (3 and 6 mg L^-1), 4, 5- zinc lignosulfonate (3 and 6 mg/L), and 6- a combined application of both elements (each at 3 mg L^-1). The results showed that foliar treatments significantly affected all measured traits except ear length and grain manganese and copper concentrations. Traits such as number of rows per ear, harvest index, and grain protein content were significant at the 5% probability level, while other traits were significant at the 1% level. The highest grain yield and biological yield were obtained from the combined treatment, with increases of 15.7% and 7.5%, respectively, compared to the control. The maximum grain iron concentration (82 mg/kg) was recorded in the 6 mg/L iron treatment, and the highest grain zinc concentration (56 mg/kg) was observed in the 6 mg/L zinc treatment. The combined application also resulted in the highest grain protein percentage. Overall, foliar spraying of maize with iron and zinc fertilizers effectively enhances grain yield and improves nutritional quality.