Response of Nonpareil seedlings almond to foliar application of liquorice root extract and bread yeast suspend under South Sinai conditions

Abstract

This study was carried out in two successive seasons 2014 & 2015 on two year old almond (Prunus amygdalus Batsch cv. Nonpareil) seedlings at El Tor, South Sinai governorate, Egypt. The investigation aimed to study the effect of foliar application with liquorice root extract (5, 10 g/L), bread yeast suspend (5, 10 g/L) alone or in combinations on seedlings growth and nutrient status. The obtained results revealed that the foliar application of both materials was very effective in improving vegetative growth characteristics of almond seedlings. The combined application of liquorice root extract 10 g/L plus bread yeast suspend 10 g/L gave the highest significant stem length and diameter, number of branches and leaves /seedling, leaf area, shoot fresh and dry weight in both seasons. The highest significant total chlorophyll, leaf fresh and dry weight were recorded from the interaction between 10 g/L liquorice root extract plus 5 g/L bread yeast suspend during two seasons. Leaves N, Mn contents were significantly increased by treated with liquorice root extract 10 g/L plus bread yeast suspend 10 g/L. The interaction between liquorice root extract 5 g/L plus bread yeast suspend 10 g/L gave the highest significant leaf Fe content in both seasons. While P, K, Mg, Ca, Zn leaf contents were not significantly affected by different concentrations of liquorice root extract, bread yeast suspend and their interactions in both seasons of the study. Shoots mineral contents (N, P, K, Mg, Fe and Mn) were not significantly affect, except Ca in the second season only was significantly increased after foliar with 10 g/L liquorice root extract plus 5 g/L bread yeast suspend. Also, application of liquorice root extract 10 g/L plus bread yeast suspend 10 g/L gave the highest significant Zn in both seasons. It can be recommended from the present study that foliar application with liquorice root extract at 10 g/L plus bread yeast suspend at 10 g/L for improving and enhancing growth, leaf and shoot mineral contents of Nonpareil almond seedlings.