Effect of Seaweed Extract and Micronutrients Mixture on some Growth Characters and Flowering of Dianthus chinensis L. and Gazania splender L. Plants

Abstract

An experiment was conducted on Chinese carnation Dianthus chinesis L. and gazania Gazania splender L. to study the effect of spray seaweed extract (seaweed Fe) and micronutrients mixture at concentrations of 0, 1, and 2 ml. L−1 for each, in addition to their combination, on some growth characters of the two ornamental plants. Plants were sprayed three times. Treatments were layout in factorial experiment (3x3) in completely randomized design with three replicates. Results showed that the use of the two materials at both concentrations caused significant increase in Chinese carnation plant height. Leaf number increased significantly at 2ml.L−1 of micronutrients mixture on Chinese carnation. In gazania, there was a pronounced increase in leaf number with the increase of the concentration of seaweed extract. Sea weed extract had no effect on percent dry weight while the percent increased significantly at both concentrations on Chinese carnation. Chlorophyll content increased due to the use of the highest concentration of both materials on both plants. Number of flowers per plan also increased as a result of the spray of both materials. Length of flower stalk and flower diameter was affected significantly by all the treatments, while flower fresh and dry weight did not affect by the treatments. Nitrogen percent in leaves of Chinese carnation increased significantly due to the use of the two materials, but in gazania the percent increased due to the use of the two concentrations of seaweed extract while the micronutrients had no effect. For carbohydrate content, there was pronounced increase in leaves of both plants especially at the higher concentration of both materials. It was noted that all combination treatments had significant effect on all parameters measured.