The Influence of Foliar Application of Biostimulant Atonik and Different Sources of Potassium on Full Sun and Partial Shade Salvia farinacea Plants

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Ornamental Horticulture Department, Fac. of Agric., Cairo Univ., Giza, Egypt

Abstract

NUTRITION and some environmental variables play a major role in the growth and development of ornamental plants. Two pot experiments were carried out in a randomized complete block design to study the effect of foliar application of biostimulator agent (Atonik, 0.2%) and different sources of potassium viz. potassium sulphate (2g/L), potassium citrate (2g/L) and potassium humate (3g/L) on growth parameters and chemical constituents of Salvia farinacea plants grown under full sun and/or partial shade conditions (50 % shade) during 2014/15 and 2015/16 seasons. Foliar application of atonic and different sources of potassium enhanced growth, chlorophyll, total carbohydrates and mineral contents of plants grown in both environments. Under full sun, spraying plants with K humate gave the highest number of leaves and inflorescences as well as the highest biomass of fresh and dry leaves, while under partial shade, spraying plants with K citrate + atonik gave the highest values of these traits. Foliar application of K citrate + atonik gave the highest values of fresh and dry weight of inflorescences in both environments. Plants grown under partial shade conditions were superior in plant height and individual leaf area, while those grown under open field conditions were superior in stem diameter, number of leaves, branches, roots and inflorescences per plant, fresh and dry weight of leaves, stems, roots and inflorescences per plant as well as chlorophyll, total carbohydrates and mineral contents.

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