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A pot experiment was conducted at the Ornamental Department of the Horticulture Research Station in Sakha, Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, Egypt during two seasons, 2021 and 2022. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of foliar application with nano-NPK and nano-chitosan using different doses under soil salinity stress on the growth and physiochemical attributes of Kigelia africana L. transplants. The treatments were mineral NPK using 5 g L-1 as a control, nano-NPK at three doses including 1, 2, and 3 ml L-1, as well as nano-NPK at only one dose of 2 ml L-1 + nano-chitosan at three doses (i.e., 1, 2 and 3 ml L-1) for each. The obtained results showed that the applied nano-NPK at 2 ml L-1 + nano-chitosan at 2 ml L-1 significantly increased plant height (cm), stem diameter (cm), fresh and dry weight of vegetative parts per transplant (g), membrane stability index, as well as root length (cm), number of roots and root fresh and dry weights plant with the superiority of nano-NPK at 2 ml L-1 + nano-chitosan at 2 ml L-1 over control in both seasons. Most treatments recorded significantly higher values in chlorophyll a, b, carotenoids, catalase, and peroxidase activity in the leaves than control, with the superiority of nano-NPK at 2 ml L-1 + nano-chitosan at 2 ml L-1 transplants compared to the control. The nutrient contents of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the leaves were significantly increased over the control for all treatments, especially in the treatment of nano-NPK + nano-chitosan at 2 ml L-1 under soil salinity stress conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil salinity is considered a serious and limiting factor reducing the crop productivity in particular under arid, and semi-arid conditions. Pot experiments were conducted at the Ornamental Department of the Horticulture Research Station in Sakha, Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, Egypt during the season of 2021 and 2022. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of foliar application with nano-NPK and nano-sulfur using different doses on the growth and chemical compounds of Khaya senegalensis L. under salinity stress. The studied treatments were mineral NPK fertilizer at 5 g L-1 (as a control), applied nano-NPK at 1, 2 and 3 ml L-1, besides three combinations of nano NPK (2 ml L-1) and applied nano-sulfur at 1, 2 and 3 ml L-1, separately. The obtained results showed that the treatment of nano-NPK 2 ml L-1 + nano-sulfur 2 and/or 3 ml L-1 significantly increased plant height (cm), stem diameter (cm), fresh and dry weights of vegetative parts per seedling (g), membrane stability index, as well as root length (cm), number of roots and root fresh and dry weights per plant. The superiority of the nano-NPK at 2 ml L-1 + nano-sulfur at 2 ml L-1 treatment comparing with the control in both seasons. Most treatments recorded significantly higher chlorophyll a, b, carotenoids, catalase and peroxidase activity in the leaves than control. A superiority was found after applying nano-NPK 2 ml L-1 + nano-sulfur 2 ml L-1 in both seasons for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content in the leaves, which was significantly increased over the control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RECOGNIZING the importance of fennel as a medicinal plant under challenging soil conditions, it becomes essential to prioritize sustainable cultivation methods. Embracing bio-stimulants as a viable alternative to mineral fertilizers can play a pivotal role in ensuring the continued growth and utilization of fennel for its medicinal properties while safeguarding the environment and fostering long-term agricultural viability. The selected alternatives to NPK-fertilizers were included the foliar application of active yeast (5 g L-1 ), compost tea (2 ml L-1 ), humic acids (2 ml L-1 ), seaweed extract (0.5 g L-1 ), and ascorbic acid (0.5 g L-1 ), comparing with the negative control (tap water) and positive control as NPK (19:19:19) at 1.5 g L-1. The sequence order of the studied treatments from more effective to less effective was as follows: applied active yeast recorded increase in many studied parameters such as number of branches per plants, dry weight, seed yield per fed, crude protein and total carbohydrates in seeds by 88 and 156%; 137 and 133%; 115 and 129%; 111 and 46%; 16.2 and 11.3% in both seasons, respectively comparing with the negative control and other applied treatments. The main components in fennel oil were α-pinene, followed by sabinene, then β-pinene under such saline conditions. The results of this study can support the farmers to reduce the applied NPK-mineral fertilizers with supplying the cultivated fennel under such saline soil conditions. Further studies are needed and more evaluations are required to know the best biostimulants can be applied under such salinity stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]