Effect of foliar spraying with amino acids and seaweed extract on growth chemical constitutes, yield and its quality of celeriac plant

Abstract

This investigation was conducted in the two successive winter seasons of 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 on celeriac plants cv. Monach in sandy newly reclaimed soil at Beheira Governorate, Egypt(north of Egypt) to study the effect of Biostimulators, i.e., amino acids and seaweed extract on the growth, chemical composition, yield and its quality of celeriac plant. The experiment included 5 treatments resulted from spray treatments, viz. amino acids at 500 and 750 ppm and seaweed extract at 1000 and 2000 ppm in addition to check treatment (water). A complete randomized block design with three replicates was adopted. Results indicated that spraying the plants with amino acids and seaweed extract at higher rate significantly increased plant height and fresh and dry weight of leaves compared to control. Spraying seaweed extract at higher rate tended to have the highest values from photosynthetic pigments, P and K content of leaves whereas, amino acids at both rates significantly increased N content compared to control as well as other treatments. Spraying plants with either amino acids or seaweed extract at higher rates significantly increased the green yield (leaves) while, seaweed extract at the two tested concentrations exhibited the highest significantly root yield compared to those of untreated check and other treatments. Spraying the plants with seaweed extract and amino acids at the higher rates significantly increased total sugar content whereas, seaweed extract at two tested rates significantly increased NO3 content of roots compared to control treatment. © 2011 EuroJournals Publishing, Inc.