Effect of Alternative Spraying with Silicate and Licorice Root Extract on Yield and Nutrients Uptake by Pea Plants

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Soil Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, 44511 Zagazig, Egypt

2 Soil Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Egypt

Abstract

GREEN APPROACHES for enhancing plant growth and production using natural occurring materials are highly needed such as licorice root extract. Silicon is an abundant element on Earth and its positive effects on plants make it important in agriculture. Silicon plays an important role in the mineral nutrition of plants, especially for the high accumulator species, such as pea plants. A field trialwas conducted through 2015 and 2016 growing seasons to study the effect of alternative spraying with silicate and licorice root extract on growth parameters, yield and nutrients uptake by pea plants (Pisum sativum L.). Licorice root extract was added as a foliar spray at a rate of 0, 2 and 5 g l-1 at 20, 30, and 40 days after sowing. Three concentrations of SiO2 (0, 500, 750 mg SiO2 L-1) were spraying at 25, 35, and 45 days after sowing. Therefore, the experimental design was factorial randomized complete block, involving 2 factors; A: silicate rates, B: Licorice extract rates. Results indicated that spraying with silicon and licorice root extract significantly increased fresh pods yield, dry weight of shoots and seeds, protein content and nutrients uptake as compared to untreated plants. The best treatment was alternative spraying with silicate (750 mg SiO2 L-1) and 5 g L-1 licorice root extract.

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