Effect of Spraying Nano-Fertilizer (Loenergy Plus) and Hibiscus Extract on the Vegetative Growth Characteristics of the Seedling of Sour Orange Citrus aurantium L.

Abstract

The experiment was carried out from the middle of March until the end of June in the greenhouse belonging to the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering, the College of Agriculture, and the University of Karbala. To investigate the impact of spraying hibiscus extract and Nano-fertilizer (Loenergy Plus) on the vegetative growth traits of the seedling of the orange starting in 2022. The experiment was set up as a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two factors: with Nano-fertilizer (Loenergy Plus) and hibiscus extract, each in three concentrations, and three replications, each with 18 seedlings and two seedlings each. Following the completion of the experiment, measurements were obtained, the outcomes were evaluated using the statistical design employed, and the averages were compared using the least significant difference test at the level of probability 0.05. The most significant findings were those of the Nano-fertilizer (Loenergy Plus) treatment, which at a concentration of 1.5 ml L-1 was significantly better than other concentrations in all growth characteristics studied (seedling height rate (cm), stem diameter rate (mm), average number of leaves (leaf /seedling), leaf area (cm2), average leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD unit), and shoot dry weight). Most of the growth characteristics that were examined (seedling height rate (cm), stem diameter rate (mm), average number of leaves (leaf/seedling), leaf area (cm2), rate of leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD unit), and shoot dry weight) were significantly improved by the application of hibiscus extract at an 8 g L-1 concentration. While the binary interaction between the two experimental factors (average seedling height (cm), average stem diameter (mm), average leaf chlorophyll content in leaves (SPAD unit), and shoot dry weight) had no significant effect, there was a significant effect of the bilateral interaction between the two experimental factors on the number of leaves (leaves / seedlings) and the leaf area (cm2).