Effect of the Foliar Application with Seaweed, Moringa Extracts, Molybdenum and Boron on The Vegetative Growth and Yield of Plum Trees

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Plant Production Department (Horticulture-Pomology), Faculty of Agriculture, Saba Basha, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21531, Egypt

Abstract

The current study was conducted during 2022 and 2023 seasons on plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.) cv. Kelsy was planted in sandy soil under a drip irrigation system in a private Farm located at Salah Al-Abd Village, Bostan Region, Nubaria, Behaira Governorate, Egypt to study the effect of foliar application of molybdenum 0.5 g/L, boron at 0.5 g/L, seaweed extract at 2000 ppm, moringa leaf extract at 4000 ppm, molybdenum 0.5g/L + boron 0.5g/L, molybdenum 0.5g/L + seaweed extract 2000ppm,  molybedem0.5g/L + moringa extract 4000ppm, boron 0.5g/L + seaweed extract 2000ppm, boron 0.5 g/L + moringa extract 4000 ppm, seaweed extract 2000 ppm + moringa extract 4000 ppm and molybdenum 0.5g/L + boron 0.5g/L + moringa extract4000ppm + seaweed extract 2000 ppm as compared to the control treatments on vegetative growth and yield characteristics. The trees were planted at 3 x 3.5 m in sandy soil under a drip irrigation system. Sixty uniform trees of the same age, growth and size were randomly chosen. The foliar application of the twelve treatments was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in five replicates during the two seasons. The trees were sprayed three times; before flowering, after fruit set and after one month after the second spraying. The obtained results showed that the application of the seaweed extract, moringa extract, boron and molybdenum individually or in combination effectively increased the vegetative growth attributes and fruit yield. The best results were obtained by the application of 0.5 g/L boron + 0.5 g/L molybdenum + seaweed extract + moringa extract in both seasons. 

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