Effect of Foliar Application of Seaweed Extract and Chelated Iron on Some Chemical and Fruit Characteristics of (Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. Cv. Tufahi Trees)

• Faiza Khadim Dawood AL-Rumaydh

  Author

The present investigation was carried out in year 2025 in a private jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. Cv. Tufahi Trees) orchard in Al-Khamisat region of Dhi Qar Governorate. Twenty seven trees were selected and the trees were homogeneous in shape and size. The trees were treated as experimental units to test the effect of foliar application of various concentrations of seaweed extract and chelated iron on some chemical and fruit quality parameters. The seaweed extract and the second agent were applied at three concentrations: 0, 2, and 4 mL L⁻¹ for the seaweed extract, and 0, 250, and 500 mL L⁻¹ for the second agent, respectively. The results of the analyses were as follows: Spraying with seaweed extract at 4 mL L⁻¹ significantly improved fruit physical traits, recording the highest values for fruit length (3.52 cm), diameter (3.16 cm), volume (5.41 cm³), and weight (10.07 g). Additionally, this treatment enhanced total soluble solids (TSS: 10.57%), vitamin C (188.14 mg/100g FW), leaf chlorophyll content (5.74 mg/100g FW), and dry matter (21.56 g). Similarly, foliar application of chelated iron at 500 mg L⁻¹ significantly increased leaf chlorophyll (7.31 mg/100g FW) and fruit dry matter (22.90 g), as well as physical characteristics (length: 3.77 cm, diameter: 3.30 cm, volume: 5.41 cm³, and weight: 11.05 g), TSS (11.37%), and vitamin C content (184.98 mg/100g FW). The interaction treatment between 4 mL L⁻¹ seaweed extract and 500 mg L⁻¹ chelated iron exhibited a significant synergistic effect, resulting in the highest overall improvement across all evaluated characteristics.

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