Response of Nemguard Peach Seedlings to Foliar Application with Amino Acids and Algae Extract

Abstract

In the current study, the effects of foliar sprays of two concentrations of amino acids (2 and 4 ml/L) and two concentrations of algae extract (2 and 4 ml/L) alone or in combination with each other were evaluated on the vegetative growth and nutritional status of one-year-old Nemagaurd peach rootstock seedlings compared to the control treatment (spray with water only). The study was conducted at the National Research Centre Nursery, Egypt, during two growing seasons of 2022 and 2023. Three times, foliar spraying was applied: April 25, May 23 and June 27 of both seasons. In comparison to the control, the results showed that foliar spraying amino acids and algae extract increased all characteristics of vegetative growth significantly, including stem diameter, stem length, leaves/seedling number, branches/seedling number, chlorophyll, leaf fresh weight, leaf area, and leaf dry weight. It also increased significantly the total carbohydrates and mineral content of leaves (N, K, P, Fe, Mg, Mn, Cu, and Zn). The study found that the application of amino acids and algae extract to Nemagaurd peach rootstock seedlings greatly enhanced their vegetative development and nutritional status. For the majority of the traits under study, the combination of amino acids at 4 ml/L plus algae extract at 4 ml/L was significantly higher than the control treatment and other treatments. The results were even more impressive: for example, amino acids at 2 ml/L plus algae extract at 4 ml/L; for other parameters, amino acids at 4 ml/L plus others.