Effect of Foliar Spray with Natural Extracts on Vegetative Growth and Chemical Composition of Murraya exotica (L.) Jack Plant
Year: 2021
Type: article
Abstract: A pot experiment was carried out on Murraya exotica (L.) Jack plants grown in a semi shaded place at the nursery of Al-Zohriya Garden, Horticultural Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt during 2018 and 2019 seasons, to study the effect of foliar spray with natural extracts on vegetative growth and chemical composition of Murraya plant.The aim of the study is using natural extracts as an alternative for chemical fertilizers to reduce the pollution problems caused by these fertilizers to the environment, to reduce production costs, to determine the best fertilization treatments for hastening growth of Murraya plants with high-quality characteristics for local production and export.Therefore, two aqueous extracts of cabbage leaves and fenugreek seeds, were evaluated for their ability as bio-stimulants for the fertilization of Murraya plants with different concentrations (0, 25, 50 and 75%), for each.The obtained results indicated that the highest values were recorded for all vegetative and root growth traits (plant length, number of branches/plant, number of leaves/plant, root length, as well as vegetative and root growth fresh and dry weights) in plants were sprayed with fenugreek seeds extract at 50% concentration compared to the control plants in both seasons.While the highest values for all flowering traits (number of flowers/ inflorescence, flower diameter and flower fresh and dry weights) were recorded in plants sprayed with cabbage leaves extract at 50% concentration compared to the control plants in both seasons.The same trend was also observed with regard to the chemical components in the leaves, where the highest values for the leaf contents of photosynthetic pigments (total chlorophylls and carotenoids), the percentages of total carbohydrates, N and K, as well as total phenols and total flavonoids were recorded by plants sprayed with fenugreek seeds extract at 50% concentration , while the highest values of the percentage of P in the leaves were recorded by plants sprayed with the cabbage leaves extract at 50% concentration.Accordingly, foliar spraying of Murraya exotica plant with fenugreek seeds extract at 50% level, once every three weeks during the growing season, as an alternative to chemical fertilizers can be recommended to obtain the fastest growth and high quality for local production and export.
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4205222940