Leaf Mineral Content Research Articles

Pear performance as affected by the application of some nano fertilizers in combination with biochar as a biostimulant under drought conditions

Drought is an environmental stress that can negatively influence growth and productivity of fruit trees because it decreases the photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance and raises the rate of water loss from the plant surfaces. Therefore, this study investigated the soil application of biochar individually or in combination with the spraying of boron, silicon, and molybdenum relative to the growth attributes, fruit drop percentages, yield, and fruit quality of Le Conte pear trees grown under drought stress. The trees were fertilized by biochar at 0, 1, and 2 kg per tree individually or in combination with the foliar spraying with 0 mg B2O3 + 0 mg SiO2 + 0 mg MoO2, 10 mg B2O3 + 25 mg SiO2 + 25 mg MoO2, 20 mg B2O3 + 50 mg SiO2 + 50 mg MoO2 and 30 mg B2O3 + 75 mg SiO2 + 75 mg MoO2 at start of February, start of March and start of April, compared to untreated trees (control). The results showed that the soil addition of biochar or spraying of nano fertilizers individually or in combinations improved the vegetive growth, productivity and fruit quality, and leaf mineral content, meanwhile they reduced the fruit drop. The best results were obtained by the application of 2 kg biochar combined with 30 mg B2O3 + 75 mg SiO2 + 75 mg MoO2, which was superior to other applied treatments in the two seasons.

Biostimulators with marine algae extracts and their role in increasing tolerance to drought stress in highbush blueberry cultivation

Drought is one of the most serious challenges facing agriculture and ecosystems around the world. With more frequent and more extreme weather events, the effects of drought are becoming more severe, leading to yield losses, soil depletion and environmental degradation. In this work, we present an analysis of the impact of a marine algae biostimulanat andits ability to offset the effects of drought stress in blueberry cultivation. The aim of the research was to evaluate various fertilisation programs in increasing plant resistance to abiotic stress such as drought. It was tested whether the algal biostimulator provides the same tolerance to drought stress in highbush blueberry plants as regular fertilisers without biostimulation. The research was conducted in 2022 in a greenhouse in controlled drought conditions. Three-year-old highbush blueberry bushes (12 pieces) were used in the experiment. Highbush blueberry bushes (Vaccinium corymbosum) ’Brigitta Blue’ varieties were planted in plastic pots with a capacity of 10 dm3 containing an acidic substrate and placed in a greenhouse. Controlled lighting conditions were maintained using sodium lamps and a temperature of 25°C/20°C day/night. The substrate in pots was maintained at 80% of field water capacity by manual watering and weekly supply of nutrient solution for 5 weeks until water deficit occurred. Half of the plants were sprayed weekly with biostimulant at a concentration of 1%, three times 1 week apart (1 application per week). The biostimulant was evenly applied to the entire plant. Seven days after the third application of the product, half of the unsprayed and sprayed plants were subjected to water deficit stress by holding thewatering until 40% of the field water capacity (FC) was reached. The experimental layout included four combinations: C—Control—no biostimulation, no water deficit; CS—Stress control—water deficit up to 40% FC, no biostimulation; B—Biostimulator—no water deficit, biostimulation; BS—Stress plus biostimulator—water deficit up to 40% FC, biostimulation. Fertilisers with seaweed extracts show the ability to reduce the adverse effects of stress, promoting plant resilience, including tolerance to drought stress. The following were evaluated in the experiment: catalase activity, peroxidase activity, free malondialdehyde content, photosynthetic activity and leaf mineral content. The biostimulant used in experiment increased the oxidative activity of the enzymes pe-roxidase and catalase under simulated drought stress conditions. The algal biostimulant increased the average value of catalase activity by 20% in comparison to the control plants, in both combinatinations. The tested biostimulator had no effect on the chlorophyll content in the leaves or the concentration of nutrients in the leaves. The effect of marine algae products on the yield quantity and high quality is related among other to bioactive substances which helps to prevent drought stress.

The Role of Some Biostimulants in Improving the Productivity of Orange

One of the environmental problems that affects negatively orange productivity is drought because it greatly minimizes the growth attributes, photosynthetic process, water uptake, percentage of fruit set, and productivity; meanwhile, it raises the rates of respiration and transpiration, as well as the premature and preharvest fruit drop percentages. In addition, drought creates osmotic stress, affects the relationship between plants and water, reduces the amount of water in shoots, and prevents plant cell development and expansion. It is very important to search for a solution to minimize the effect of drought stress; therefore, the present study has investigated the effect of the application of humic acid (HA) at 0, 1 and 2 kg per tree and spraying of seaweed extract (SWE) at 0.2, 0.3 and 4% in combination with moringa leaf extract (MLE) at 2, 4 and 6%, respectively, on the productivity, fruit quality and nutritional status of navel orange cv. Washington during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. The results proved that the application of the biostimulants individually or in combination significantly positively changed the vegetative growth, productivity, fruit quality parameters and leaf mineral content of macro- and micronutrients of the treated trees compared to untreated trees. The superior treatments which gave the best results were 2 kg HA + 0.4% SWE + 6% MLE followed by 2 kg HA + 0.3% SWE + 4% MLE over the rest of the applied treatments.

Grafting of Cannabis – The effect of the rootstock on vegetative and reproductive indices of the scion

Among the commercial cannabis varieties, some are high yielders but characterized by a relatively poor root system. Roots absorb water and minerals from the soil, enabling vegetative development that directly affects yield, as vigorous plants have more resources to support reproduction. Moreover, healthy foliage is a primary key to high assimilation rates, leading to better production of photosynthetic products, including cannabinoids and terpenes, which are the main active components of cannabis. We grafted a high-THC variety, named 'Freud Super-Ego' (FSE) onto three chemotypes of rootstocks: high-THC (T), high-CBD (C), and Balanced (B). All the rootstocks had significantly greater root biomass compared to FSE. All the grafting treatments significantly improved FSE's vegetative indices and yield. The best overall vegetative performance – height, stem circumference, number of mature leaves - was that of plants grafted onto the Balanced and high-CBD rootstocks, resulting in high yields as well. However, the greatest number of inflorescences was counted when FSE was grafted onto a high-THC rootstock. According to leaf mineral content analysis, the highest nitrogen and phosphorus levels were found in leaves of FSE grafted on the balanced rootstock. The cannabinoid content profile analysis revealed that all grafting treatments raised the THC level in FSE's inflorescences by 8–12 % in comparison to the non-grafted control, and the THC rootstock led to the highest THC level. The results indicate the importance of grafting in cannabis as a tool to increase the productivity and quality of the product.

Improving Fruit Set, Yield and Fruit Quality of Barhee Date Palms Using Some Natural Plant Extracts

This experiment was conducted during two successive seasons (2020 and 2021). The aim of this research is to study the effect of spraying Barhee date palm with some natural plant extracts on fruit set, yield and fruit physical and chemical properties. Inflorescences were sprayed with moringa and garlic extracts at 2 or 4% for both, three times (one hour before pollination, one month after pollination and two months after pollination). The obtained results indicated that spraying date palm inflorescences with moringa and garlic extracts produced higher initial fruit set as compared with the untreated ones in the two seasons. While all tested treatments improved fruit physical characteristics such as fruit weight, flesh weight, fruit length and diameter compared to the control treatment in the two studied seasons; moringa extract recorded the heaviest bunches and yield/palm in both seasons. In addition, the results showed that moringa extract at 4% increased total soluble solids%, total sugars%, reducing and non-reducing sugars% in both seasons compared to the control. Meanwhile, the lowest fruit set, bunch weight, yield/palm and fruit physical and chemical properties were recorded due to the control in both seasons. Also, all treatments reduced significantly total acidity% in both seasons. In addition, spraying moringa extract at 4% improved leaf mineral content (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) and gave the highest values followed by moringa extract at 2%, then garlic extract at 4% and 2%, respectively in both seasons.

Response of Aeroponically Cultivated Baby-Leaf Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) Plants with Different Zinc, Copper, Iodine, and Selenium Concentrations

Over two billion people worldwide suffer from micronutrient deficiencies. Biofortifying vegetables can enhance micronutrient intake through the diet. This study assessed the biofortification of indoor-grown baby-leaf lettuce using aeroponics. Four experiments, two each, were conducted by adding different concentrations of Zn (from 10 to 450 µM) or Cu (from 3 to 250 µM) into a nutrient solution. A fifth experiment was conducted by simultaneously adding to the nutrient solution the optimal concentration of I (5 µM) and Se (13 µM), chosen on the basis of previous works, and the optimal concentration of Zn (250 µM) and Cu (150 µM), chosen on the basis of the results obtained in the first four experiments. Leaf biomass, mineral concentrations, chlorophylls, carotenoids, phenols, flavonoids, nitrates, and antioxidant capacity were measured 21 days after transplanting. Higher concentrations of Cu, Zn, I, or Se in the nutrient solution led to an increase in their concentrations in lettuce leaves, without affecting the growth or leaf quality of lettuce plants. The simultaneous application of I with the other elements induced a higher accumulation in leaves compared to when I is applied alone. One hundred grams of lettuce leaves biofortified with Se, I, Cu, and Zn would provide the 6.1%, 35.3%, and 263.0% of Adequate Intake for Cu, Se, and I, respectively, and 4.5% of Population Reference Intake for Zn. Our results suggest that simultaneously biofortifying baby-leaf lettuce with these four minerals is a practical and convenient way to integrate these micronutrients into the diet without reducing the yield or quality of lettuce.

Harmonizing Growth Symphony: Unraveling the Intricacies of Apricot Seedling Enhancement Through Humic Acid and Silicon Applications

Understanding the physiological responses of apricot (Prunus armenica L.) seedlings to treatments involving Humic Acid (HA), Silicon (Si), and their combination (HA + Si) is crucial for advancing sustainable agricultural practices. Focused on growth parameters, physiological attributes, and leaf mineral concentrations, this study addressed critical knowledge gaps in the influence of these treatments on apricot seedlings. The study highlighted a significant increase in stomatal conductance (SC), with the combined HA + Si treatment displaying the highest SC value at 303.98 mmol.m-2s-1. In contrast, control seedlings of the Alyanak apricot cultivar showed the lowest SC, registering at 122.52 mmol.m-2s-1. Regarding chlorophyll concentrations, the Şekerpare apricot cultivar treated with HA + Si achieved the highest value of 43.74, while in the Alyanak apricot cultivar, the Si treatment alone marked the second highest concentration at 43.02. The combined treatment (HA + Si) also reduced leaf temperatures (32.28 °C), notably in apricot cultivar Hacıhaliloğlu. Visual evaluation analyses underscored significant increases in Leaf Area (LA), Total Leaf Number (TLN), Shoot Length (SL), and other parameters, with the combined HA + Si treatment consistently outperforming individual ones. Mineral analysis revealed elevated Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P) with HA, increased Magnesium (Mg) with Si and HA + Si, and significant effects on Potassium (K) and Calcium (Ca). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) confirmed the positive impacts on overall plant performance, corresponding to a cumulative explanation of 53.82%. This study provided crucial insights for tailoring agricultural practices to optimize apricot seedlings growth, emphasizing the effectiveness of HA and Si treatments, particularly in combination, for enhanced physiological responses.

Inoculation of nitrogen-fixing bacteria to mitigate the negative effect of brackish water on peanuts

The use of nitrogen-fixing bacteria reduces the use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. However, salt stress can negatively affect the establishment of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). In this context, the aim was to evaluate the use of brackish water at different phenological stages on the gas exchange and mineral composition of inoculated and non-inoculated peanut crops. The experimental design used was completely randomized, following a 5x2 factorial arrangement, with four replications, using five irrigation strategies with brackish water with an electrical conductivity of 5.0 dS m-1 applied at different phenological stages of the crop: E1 - at 14 days after sowing - DAS (vegetative stage); E2 - at 25 DAS (flowering stage); E3 - at 36 DAS (gynophore emergence stage); E4 - at 46 DAS (pod formation stage); and E5 - control, and inoculated and non-inoculated plants. The earlier the salt stress is applied, the lower the gas exchange in the peanut crop, with more significant effects up to 36 DAS, the phase of gynophore emergence and elongation, so plants inoculated with rhizobia show greater efficiency in the use of brackish water. Similarly, from 36 DAS onwards, leaf mineral content decreases, with the exception of sodium, which increases. It is recommended to use brackish water associated with the use of Bradyrhizobium spp. in the pod formation stage of the peanut crop.

Effect of Magnetic Strength of the Water Salinity Treatment Devices on Salt Accumulation in the Root Zoon and Its Impact on Growth and Productivity of Olive Trees

This study was conducted during the two successive seasons 2022 and 2023 at Wadi El-Natron west Nile Delta (EL-Behera governorate) to evaluate three commercial magnetic devices “Water magnetizers” of different manufacturers (Nefertari Biomagnetic 6000 Gauss, Magnolith 8000 Gauss, Delta Water 14000 Gauss), and to figure out which is more effective to reduce the negative effect of irrigating olive trees with saline water. The study examined the effect on vegetative growth, leaf mineral contents, leaf chlorophyll content, leaf proline content, and relative water content of Manzanillo olive trees. The experiment confirmed that olive trees can be irrigated with water containing 3500 ppm without causing high salt stress. Data also showed a positive effect of magnetically treated water on all vegetative growth characters (growth rate, stem diameter, number of green leaves), an increase in all elements content in experimental plant leaves except sodium and chloride, an increase in leaf chlorophyll content, decreased leaf proline content and increase relative water content. In terms of determining whether commercial devices are more effective than others, the Magnolith has been demonstrated to achieve the best results when compared to other devices, in most cases the difference between using "Delta Water" or "Nefertari" was not big enough to be significant. "Nefertari" recorded almost the lowest values of the studied vegetative growth characters, leaf chlorophyll, and relative water content. This indicates that the strength of the magnets alone is not the only thing that affects how well the device works; furthermore, it depends also on how the magnetic fields are configured and the manufacturing expertise.

Synergistic effect of seaweed extract and boric acid and/or calcium chloride on productivity and physico-chemical properties of Valencia orange.

Many citrus species and cultivars are grown successfully in tropical and subtropical countries, as well as in arid and semi-arid regions with low levels of organic matter and low cation exchange, resulting in lower nutrient uptake by the plant. The essential nutrients needed for citrus flowering and fruit set are limited in winter due to a reduction in transpiration rate, negatively effecting vegetative growth, flowering, yield, and fruit quality. The present investigation was carried out to assess the nutritional status, fruit yield parameters, and fruit quality of Valencia orange trees after foliar spraying of seaweed extract (SW) combined with calcium chloride and boric acid and their combinations in the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 seasons. The treatments were arranged in a split-plot design (three levels spraying seaweed extract × four levels spraying calcium chloride and boric acid and their combinations × four replicates × one tree/replicate). The results indicated that all of the characteristics measured, including leaf chlorophyll, leaf mineral contents, fruit yield parameters, fruit physical properties, and fruit chemical properties, were significantly affected by the foliar spraying of seaweed extract (SW) combined with calcium chloride and boric acid and their combinations. Although all treatments increased the productivity and the physical and chemical properties of Valencia orange fruits compared to the control, a treatment of 10 g/L SW combined with 0.5 g/L boric acid and 1 g/L calcium chloride produced superior results. This ratio of SW, boric acid, and calcium chloride is therefore recommended to enhance productivity and improve the physico-chemical properties of Valencia orange for greater fruit yield.

Fertilizer Management, Soil Chemical Properties, Leaf Mineral Contents, and Fruit Quality in Passion Fruit Orchards on Amami-Oshima Island

Fertilizer Management, Soil Chemical Properties, Leaf Mineral Contents, and Fruit Quality in Passion Fruit Orchards on Amami-Oshima Island

Olive Performance under the Soil Application of Humic Acid and the Spraying of Titanium and Zinc Nanoparticles under Soil Salinity Stress

Salinity is a major social, economic, and environmental menace in climates with low rainfall and high evapotranspiration, and it influences plant growth and causes restriction to crop production in the world. Additionally, under salinity stress, numerous physiological processes such as photosynthesis, biomass accumulation, and photosynthate transfer are also harshly lessened, and it also limits the absorption of adequate water by plants and leads to a dimension in plant water status. Therefore, the current study was conducted to investigate the soil application of humic acid (HA) at 0, 0.5, 1 and 2 kg/tree alone or in combination with the foliar spraying of 0 mg ZnO2 + 0 mg TiO2, 200 mg ZnO2 + 60 mg TiO2 and/or 300 mg ZnO2 + 80 mg TiO2 through the two successive seasons 2022 and 2023. The results demonstrated that the use of HA alone or in combination with the spraying of TiO2 and ZnO2 greatly improved the leaf chlorophyll, flower number, fruit set percentages, fruit yields in kg or in ton per hectare, fruit weight, fruit size, and fruit firmness. Additionally, the same used treatments greatly improved the fruit content from TSS and oil percentages and also the leaf mineral content from N, P and K, while they minimized the fruit drop percentage and fruit moisture content as compared to control. The most positive influence was observed with the soil implementation of 2 kg HA combined with 300 mg ZnO2 + 80 mg TiO2 in the two experimental seasons.

Physicochemical characteristics of pomegranate fruits as affected by foliar application of potassium and zinc

Foliar application of mineral nutrients can considerably improve fruit yield and quality. In this study, the effects of K and Zn application by spraying on leaf mineral contents, and some physical and biochemical characteristics of pomegranate fruits cv. ‘Malas Saveh’ were investigated. The mineral treatments were three concentrations of K2SO4 (0, 1, and 2%) and three concentrations of ZnSO4 (0, 0.5, and 1%). The solutions were applied in 2020–2021 and in four times: the first application was during the time of flowering and rest three applications were applied at two-week intervals. The results showed that leaves of trees fed with different concentrations of K2SO4 and ZnSO4 accumulated higher concentrations of N, P K, Zn, Fe, and Mn than those untreated. Pomegranate trees treated with the mineral treatments had higher chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll. Applying most mineral treatments, especially 2% K2SO4+0.5% ZnSO4, significantly increased the fruit yield, fruit diameter, fruit length, aril percentage, aril/skin, the weight of 100 arils, and juice content of 100 g arils, but reduced the cracking percentage, skin thickness, skin percentage and firmness of fruits. Moreover, fruits of pomegranate trees treated with the most mineral treatments and especially 2% K2SO4+0.5% ZnSO4, showed a greater level of TSS (total soluble solids), TSS/TA (total soluble solids/titratable acidity), anthocyanin, total phenol, flavonoid, antioxidant activity, and vitamin C, and a lower level of TA. The study results evidenced that K and Zn application by spraying has a high potential for improving fruit yield and quality of pomegranate.

Response of Olive Trees (Olea europaea L.) cv. Zaity to Bio health and Foliar Spray of Tecamin max and Boron

During the growing season of 2022, the experiment was conducted in one of the private orchards located in Hassan ava village, Zakho district, Dohuk governorate, Kurdistan region, Iraq, to study the response of olive tree (Olea europaea L.) cv. Zaity to biofertilizer (bio health) and foliar spray of the amino acid (tecamin max) and Boron. Olive trees were planted 6 x 6 m apart on clay sandy loam soil and fed with well water using a drip irrigation system. Olive trees were treated with three levels of biofertilizer (bio health) at (0, 1,0 and 15 g.L-1), added to the soil, and three levels of the foliar spray with amino acid (tecamin max) at (0, 10, 15 ml.L-1), and three levels (0, 200 and 300 mg. L-1) of boron foliar spray. A factorial experiment with three replications was carried out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), using one tree for each experimental unit. The study reached the following results: application of biofertilizer (bio health) in the soil, especially at 15 g.L-1, and foliar spraying of the amino acid (tecamin max) at 15 ml.L-1 led to a significant increase in all studied characters (leaves mineral content N, P, K, and B%) and physical characters of fruit (fruit weight, fruit length, fruit width and total yield per tree) except pulp: stone ratio, while the control treatment gave the lowest average for the aforementioned traits. Foliar spray of boron especially the level of 300 mg. L-1, led to a significant increase in all the studied characteristics (leaves mineral content N, K, and B%) and physical characters of fruit (fruit weight, fruit length, fruit width, and total yield per tree) except pulp: stone ratio and phosphorus content in leaves, while the comparison treatment gave the lowest average for the aforementioned traits. There was also a significant increase in the binary and triple interactions of the study treatments on all the studied traits, especially the high levels of the study factors (15 g.L-1 bio-health, 15 ml.L-1 tecamin max, and 300 mg. L-1 boron).

Nutritional properties of Nauclea latifolia root and leaves

Nauclea latifolia is a medicinal plant that is valuable and native to Africa and Asia. It has served as herbal medicine for treating different ailments and diseases. The importance of herbal plants is not just for their medicinal effects but also their nutritional value. This study determined the proximate, vitamin, and mineral compositions of N. latifolia root and leaves using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The result revealed that N. latifolia root has moisture (5.436%), ash (7.377%), crude fat (5.012%), crude fibre (4.769%), crude protein (6.30%), carbohydrate (71.106%), while the leaf contains moisture (4.127%), ash (5.998 %), crude fat (3.998 %), crude fibre (6.713 %), crude protein (11.90 %), and carbohydrates (67.264%). On the other, vitamins A, C, D and E were 28.65 mg/L, 188.165 mg/100g of extract, 42 mg/L, and 23.86 mg/L, respectively, in the root and 15.197 mg/L, 783.20 mg/100 g, 45.60 mg/L, and 14.095 mg/L, respectively in the leaves. The root and leaf mineral content ranges from 0.351 to 8.278 ppm and 0.135 to 7.988 ppm, respectively. N. latifolia root and leaves have an appreciable content of vitamins A, C, D, and E. They contain reasonable amounts of minerals like phosphorus, calcium, zinc, ıron, magnesium, sodium and potassium. They could be a good source of carbohydrates, protein, and fibre for the development of the body. Their low ash and moisture contents make their storage easy. Therefore, N. latifolia root and leaves will make a good nutrient source for the ever-growing human population

Impact of Natural stimulates and Antioxidant compounds on fruit quality and quantity of pomegranate trees cv. H116

This experiment was carried out during two seasons (2022 and 2023) to examine the effect of spraying pomegranate trees cv. H116 with extract algae at (2cm/l), salicylic acid at (0.5 g/l) and ascorbic acid at (0.5 g/l) either alone or in combination together on productivity, fruit properties and leaf mineral content. All treatments were applied as a foliar three times: at full blooming, after fruit sit and after 30 days from fruit set. The results showed that all treatments caused a significant increase in the yield and the leaf mineral content of trees compared to the control. Treated pomegranate trees with 0.5 g/l ascorbic acid + 0.5 g/l salicylic acid was the best treatment for enhancing the yield (kg), fruit weight (g) and fruit peel (%). Foliar l application on pomegranate trees with (2 cm/l algae extract + 0.5 g/l ascorbic acid + 0.5 g/l salicylic acid) was the best treatment in this study to improve the fruit juice content and its quality and obtain maximum leaf content of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

Role of Spraying by Moringa Leaf, Garlic, and Turmeric Extracts in Pomegranate Leaves Mineral Content

Role of Spraying by Moringa Leaf, Garlic, and Turmeric Extracts in Pomegranate Leaves Mineral Content

Effect of foliar application with PRO-SOL and humic acid on some growth and chemical characteristics of sour orange (Citrus aurantium) seedlings.

This study was carried out on six months old sour orange (Citrus aurantium) seedlings in the lath house/ Agriculture College/AL-Qasim Green University in Babylon province, Iraq, from March 2020 to October 2020 with aim of investigating the impact of spraying PRO-SOL fertilizer (0.0, 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5) gm.L-1 and Humic acid (HA) (0.0, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0) gm.L-1 independently or in combination on the vegetative and chemical characteristics of sour orange seedlings. In 2021, a factorial experiment with three replications was conducted on local sour orange seedlings. The findings indicated that spraying with PRO-SOL fertilizer at a concentration of (4.5 gm.L-1) and HA (3 gm.L-1) promoted the seedling growth indices(the height of the plant, diameter of stem, number of leaves, and area of leaf), chemical parameters (chlorophyll and carbohydrate percent) also the leaf mineral content of N, P, and K. Keywords: PRO-SOL; HA; Foliar spray; Citrus aurantium seedling; lathhouse; Organic fertilizer.

Effect of Pollinator, Number of Pollination Times and Organic Fertilizer on Leaf Mineral Content and Yield of Barhi Date Palm

The experiment was conducted in 2022 in one of the date palm orchards of Barhi cultivar cultivated at Dawar palm station, Ministry of Agriculture / Horticultural Department, to study the effects of pollinator cultivar and decomposed organic fertilizer on yield and leaf mineral content of 54 drip-irrigated 7-year-old cultivar dates. A disease- and insect-free palm tree of consistent height and age, Factors of the study included adding two pollinator cultivars, Ghanaami Akhdar (P1) and local cultivar (P2), three times (N1), two (2 days after first pollination) (N2), and three times (3 days after first and 3 days after second) (N3). Decomposed organic fertilizer (sheep manure) was added in three levels (0, 20, and 40 kg.date-1), denoted by M0, M1, and M2. The factorial experiment in an RCBD employed 54 trees since treatments were reproduced three times (one date palm tree per experimental unit). The experimental results revealed that local cultivar pollinator (P2) enhanced fruit dry weight by 77.71% but did not affect leaf nitrogen, phosphor content, or fruit weight. Results revealed that pollination number did not substantially affect leaf nitrogen or phosphor content, but once (N1) showed considerable superiority in fruit dry weight of 78.10 % and fruit weight of 104.14 g. At 40 kg sheep dung, leaf nitrogen and phosphor increased considerably.date-1 (M2) had the maximum leaf nitrogen and phosphor content of 1.548% and 0.380 %, and fruit weight of 107.00 g. M1 had the highest fruit dry weight percentage of 78.95%. Triple interactions between study parameters strongly influenced all attributes.

Effect of Humic Acid Addition and Urea Foliar Spraying on Shoot Characteristics and Chemical Content of Olive Sapling Cv. Khistawi

The experiment was conducted in the lath house belonging to the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Gardening, College of Agriculture, Anbar University, from 1/3/2022 to 15/11/2022 to determine the effect of soil application of humic acid at three levels (0, 10, 15 g sapling−1), respectively, and foliar spray of urea fertilizer at three concentrations (0, 10, 15 g L−1), respectively, and their interaction on the vegetative growth characteristics and leaf mineral content of Khistawi olive saplings. The results showed a positive effect of adding humic acid on most of the vegetative and characteristics and mineral content of the leaves. Adding (15 g sapling−1) resulted in a significant superiority in stem diameter, leaf area, new shoot lengths, percentage of nitrogen, chlorophyll content, carbohydrates, and leaf dry matter, with 4.236 mm, 5.190 cm2, 7.684 cm, 1.824%, 76.739 mg 100 g−1, 7.094%, 47.878% respectively compared to the control treatment. Foliar spray of urea fertilizer at concentration (15 g L−1) resulted in a superiority of the mentioned characteristics above when adding humic acid, reaching 4.530mm, 5.607 cm2, 8.066 cm, 1.844%, 77.578 mg 100 g−1, 7.190%, 48.126% compared to the control treatment. The interaction between the studied factors showed a similar behavior to the individual factors for all studied characteristics.