Response of broccoli seedling to some plant extracts

Abstract

AN EXPERIMENT was carried out on broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. Italica) during the winter seasons of 2014 and 2015 in Sakha Horticulture Research Station in Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate under tunnels. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of two aqueous extract concentrations (10% and 20%) of fresh leaves from basil (Ocimum basilicum) and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) on growth the important medical and nutritional content of broccoli seedlings. The growth parameters of broccoli seedling significantly were increased by basil and eucalyptus leaf extracts particularly concentrations 10% of basil and eucalyptus. The fresh and dry weight of seedling root markedly increased. Also, stem length and leaf area of broccoli seedling were significantly increased. Broccoli seedlings photosynthetic pigments chlorophyll a, b and carotenoid contents were increased by most treatments especially by 20% basil extract. However, the ratio of Chl. (a+b)/carotenoid increased by higher value than the increase in the ratio of Chl. a/b showing great antioxidant capacity due to treatment by the study extracts. In addition, the soluble protein and the sugars metabolism were markedly enhanced by different treatment of basil and eucalyptus leaf extracts. The important nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and calcium) absorption was increased by 10% of eucalyptus extract which was reflected on the plant growth. In general application of the two plants extract was important to achieve a vigorous seedlings that inshore great success of seedlings transplanting in the field.