Effect of foliar spraying of seaweed extract and with iron and zinc chelated on the growth and nutritional status of Nemaguard peach rootstock seedlings

Abstract

An investigation of the effect of foliar spraying with seaweed extract and some micronutrients (Iron and Zinc-chelated) on the growth and nutritional status of two-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. The seedlings were sprayed with three levels 0, 5, and 10 ml/L of seaweed Spirulina platensis extract and three levels 0, 25, and 50 mg/L of Fe plus Zn chelated. The experiment consisted of 9 treatments applied using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with five replications. Three times, foliar spraying was applied: on 2, 16, and 30 th July. In comparison to the control, the results showed that foliar spraying seaweed extract and some micronutrients (iron and zinc chelated) increased all characteristics of vegetative growth significantly, including seedling height, seedling diameter, number of branches/seedlings, number of leaves/seedlings, leaf area (cm2), total chlorophylls, and fresh and dry weight of leaves. 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 seaweed extract and some micronutrients (iron and zinc-chelated) to Nemagaurd peach rootstock seedlings greatly enhanced their vegetative development and nutritional status. For the majority of the traits under study, the combination of seaweed extract at 10 ml/L plus some micronutrients (iron and zinc chelated) at 50 mg/L significantly enhanced their vegetative development and nutritional status compared to the control treatment and other treatments.