Evaluation of the effect of chemical fertilization and some natural extracts on the production of freesia (Freesia refracta L.) plants: a sustainable approach

Abstract

Effects of different types of fertilizers; traditional NPK (1 g plant−1), 2, 4, 6 and 8 gm L−1 of moringa leaves extract (MLE), 10, 20, 40 and 60 mL L−1 of aloe leaves extract (AL) on vegetative growth, flowering Corms production and chemical constituents of Freesia refracta L. were evaluated during two successive seasons (2020–2021 and 2021–2022). Treating plants with MLE caused increases in plant height, number if leaves and number of flowers by 35.2%, 8.2% and 16.3%, respectively, while treating plants with Al caused increases by 33.2%, 7.9% and 15.4% in the same parameters, respectively, averaged between different concentrations and growth seasons. The results revealed that, treating plants with 8 gm L−1 MLE caused a significant increase in the vegetative growth, flowering, and corms production. These improvement fits with the many goals of the 17 United Nation Sustainable Goals (UNSDGs); especially SDG2 (Zero hunger), SDG13 (climate action) and SDG15 (Life on land). Moreover, the chemical composition of plant was improved significantly.