Impact of Foliar Seaweed and Alpha-Tocopherol Applications on the Morphological and Phytochemical Traits of ‘Black Diyala’ Figs.

• Reezan Ali Mohammed1*, Imad Ali Obaied2 and Zahraa Kazim Habib3

  Author

   The study was conducted on fig trees (Ficus carica L) cv. ‘Black Diyala’. This experiment was aimed at supporting the fig crops, as little research is conducted on the use of alpha-tocopherol in this type of cultivation. The study was conducted at a private orchard in Al-Kifl district, south of Babil Governorate, Iraq where six years old trees with even growth and size were chosen. The experiment was prepared as a 3 × 3 factorial in RCBD with three replicates. The first factor was levels of seaweed extract (no spray, 4 g L⁻¹ and 4 g L⁻¹ combined with calcium at 2 ml L⁻¹) which symbolized as S₁, S₂ and S₃ respectively. The second variable consisted of 3 levels of α-tocopherol, (0; 150; 300 mg L⁻¹) E₁, E₂ and E₃ respectively.

   The combined treatment S₃E₃ [Seaweed extract (4 g L⁻¹) + Calcium (2 ml L⁻¹) + alpha-tocopherol (300 mg L⁻¹)] was significantly effective for increasing leaf area, leaf dry matter percentage, chlorophyll content, and leaves concentrations of phenolic compounds and flavonoids as well as fruits anthocyanin content compared with the control treatment. On the other hand, S₃E₂ treatment (seaweed extract 4 g L⁻¹ + calcium 2 ml L⁻¹ with alpha-tocopherol at 150 mg L⁻¹) induced a high number of new shoots.

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