Maximizing growth and antioxidants of carrot plant (Dacus carota L.) by foliar application of hornwort extract, Phenylalanine and Nano-Potassium

Abstract

Two  field trials  were  conducted in Babylon governorate, Tufael town which is located in Al-Kifl district in a mixed sandy soil for the growing seasons 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 to assess impact of hornwort extract, phenylalanine amino acid and nano-potassium  and it’s interactions on growth and antioxidants accumulation of carrots plant. The treatments were implemented within Randomized Complete Block Design (R.C.B.D) with three  factors and  three replications. The trial comprised three factors, the first is spraying  hornwort extract with three concentrations 0, 4 and 8 ml. L^-1, the second factor included the spraying  amino acid Phenylalanine with three concentrations 0, 75 and 150 mg.L^-1 and the third factor included the spraying  nano-potassium fertilizer with three concentrations 0, 1 and 2 g.L^-1 . The averages were compared according to the least significant difference (L.S.D) test at a probability level of 0.05. The results showed that the triple-interaction (A3B3C3) between hornwort extract (8ml.L^-1), phenylalanine (150mg.L^-1) and nano-potassium (2g.L^-1)  was superior to all treatments in achieving the highest values in leaf area (112.30, 116.10 cm²) , leaves fresh weight (61.25, 66.56 g), total chlorophyll content of leaves (290.09, 305.20 mg.100 f.w ), beta-carotene (10.05, 10.19 mg.100 f.w) and ascorbic acid (7.80, 8.20 mg.100 ml f.w) for two seasons respectively. The favorable formulation that carrot strongly respond with is A3B3C3 treatment.