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Purslane has been suggested as an alternative crop suitable for human consumption due to its high content of minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, and several health-beneficial compounds. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of salinity stress (tap water (control), 2000, 4000, 6000, 8000, and 10,000 mg L−1), biostimulant application (putrescine and salicylic acid at 200 mg L−1), and the combination of the tested factors (i.e., salinity × biostimulant application) on the growth and chemical composition of purslane plants (Portulaca oleracea L.) over two growing seasons (2022 and 2023). Irrigation with tap water and putrescine application resulted in the highest plant height, weight of aboveground and underground parts, and number of shoots per plant. In contrast, the lowest values of growing parameters were recorded under severe saline stress (10,000 mg L−1), especially for the plants that were not treated with biostimulants. The same trends were observed for macronutrients (N, P, K), total carbohydrates, total chlorophylls, and vitamin C content in leaves. Moreover, nitrate and proline content was higher in plants grown under salinity stress, especially under severe stress (8000–10,000 mg L−1) without biostimulant application. In general, the application of biostimulants mitigated the negative impact of salinity on plant growth and leaf chemical composition, while the effect of putrescine on the tested parameters was more beneficial than that of salicylic acid. In conclusion, this study provides useful information regarding the use of putrescine and salicylic acid as biostimulatory agents with the aim of increasing purslane growth under salinity conditions.

Portulaca oleracea L. is a wild edible plant with high potential for exploitation in commercial cropping systems due to its nutritional value and great adaptability to abiotic stress conditions. The present study aimed to investigate the response of purslane plants grown under drought stress conditions (100%, 80%, and 60% of field capacity (FC)) and the implementation of biostimulant amendments (control without amendment, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), mycorrhiza, and effective microorganisms (EMs)) for two consecutive years. In the two-year experiment, the greatest height was recorded in plants grown under no-stress conditions and inoculated with PGPR. The highest branch number, and fresh and dry weight of aboveground and underground parts were observed under no-stress conditions at the mycorrhiza treatment. Moreover, mycorrhiza application in plants growing under 100% FC resulted in the highest N, P, total carbohydrates, and vitamin C and the lowest nitrate and proline contents in leaves. Purslane plants grown under 100% FC and inoculated with PGPR treatment resulted in the highest K and total chlorophyll leaf contents. Additionally, growing plants under mild drought stress (80% FC) combined with biostimulant application (e.g., inoculation with mycorrhiza, PGPR, and EM) may improve plant growth characteristics and mitigate negative stress effects. In general, the applied biostimulant amendments alleviated the adverse effects of drought on plant growth and leaf chemical composition indicating the importance of sustainable strategies to achieve high yield and sufficient quality within the climate change scenario.

Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) is a specialty crop capable of providing healthy food and metabolites. The goal of our study was to explore the possibility of expanding seed yield, oil production, and metabolites of chia in response to amino acid, barthenosteriode, and algae extract treatments used as bio-stimulants. The experiment was conducted in the field in a randomized complete block design with three repeats. The treatments were (1) control (spray only with water), (2) amino acids with nutrients (2 mL/L vs. 4 mL/L), (3) brassinolide (5 mL/L vs. 10 mL/L), and algae extract (2 mL/L vs. 4 mL/L). The growth and yield measurements of chia, such as chlorophyll, carotenoids, amino acids, indoles, phenols, macro- and micronutrients, carbohydrates, total oil, and fatty acids were analyzed. The chia plants sprayed with growth stimulant materials showed increases in most studied characteristics, particularly algae extract at 4 mL/L, followed by algae extract at 2 mL/L during the first and second seasons. Meanwhile, amino acids at 4 mL/L led to the third-highest increases in most cases. Conversely, all bio-stimulant treatments decreased total phenols in leaves (mg/100 g f.w.), especially seaweed at 4 mL/L, compared to high levels in the control during both seasons. Control plants showed the lowest levels of the measurements mentioned previously when scored by barthenosteriode at 5 mL/L during the first and second seasons. GLC for fixed oil in chia showed the recognition of four biocomponents. i.e., oleic, linoleic, palmitic, and α-α linolenic acids. The main biocomponent was α-α linolenic acid and reach (49.7 to 57.9%). The application of seaweed at 4 mL/L could be exploited to improve growth, seed crop, fixed oil production, chemicals and bio-constituents, especially the fixed oil composition of chia (Salvia hispanica L.) plant.

Jojoba oil (JO) extracted from seeds has outstanding properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities, and can be stored forlong periodsof time. The unique properties of jojoba oil depend on its chemical composition; therefore, the effect of the jojoba genotype on the chemical properties and active components of the seed oil was evaluated in this study. Oil samples were collected from 15 elite Egyptian jojoba lines. The chemical composition, such as moisture, crude fiber, crude oil, ash, and crude protein of elite lines’ seeds was determined to investigate the variation among them based on the jojoba genotype. In addition, the iodine value was obtained to measure the degree of jojoba oil unsaturation, whereas the peroxide number was determined as an indicator of the damage level in jojoba oil. Fatty acid composition was studied to compare elite jojoba lines. Fatty acid profiles varied significantly depending on the jojoba genotype. Gadoleic acid exhibited the highest percentage value (67.85–75.50%) in the extracted jojoba oil, followed by erucic acid (12.60–14.81%) and oleic acid (7.86–10.99%). The iodine value, peroxide number, and fatty acid composition of the tested elite jojoba lines were compared withthose reported by the International Jojoba Export Council (IJEC). The results showed that the chemical properties of jojoba oils varied significantly, depending on the jojoba genotype.

This work investigated the effects of potassium mineral fertilizers, combined with biofertilizers (T1–T4 treatments) and the foliar spraying of seaweed extract (at 1 g/L, 2 g/L, and 3 g/L) on the vegetative growth characters, chemical constituents of foliage, and the yield and quality parameters of globe artichoke. The maximum height, and the fresh and dry weight of the leaves, was recorded in plants that received only soil with added potassium (T1 treatment) and sprayed with seaweed extract at 3 g/L. Furthermore, the highest number of offshoots per plant was registered in the T2 treatment combined with seaweed extract (3 g/L). T1 and T2 treatments resulted in the highest values of leaf N, P, K, and total carbohydrate content when combined with seaweed extract (3 g/L). The highest numbers of early, late, and total heads per plant were obtained for the T1 treatment and seaweed extract (3 g/L). Similarly, most of the head quality parameters were beneficially affected by the T2 treatment and seaweed extract (3 g/L). In conclusion, it is suggested that soil application of mineral potassium fertilizer (75% of RD) combined with biofertilizer (25% of RD) and the foliar spraying of seaweed extracts at 3 g/L, was most beneficial for the yield and quality parameters of globe artichoke plants.

Iron (Fe) is required for most metabolic processes, including DNA synthesis, respiration, photosynthesis, and chlorophyll biosynthesis; however, Fe deficiency is common in arid regions, necessitating additional research to determine the most efficient form of absorbance. Nano-fertilizers have characteristics that are not found in their traditional equivalents. This research was implemented on Washington navel orange trees (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) to investigate the effect of three iron forms—nano (Fe-NPs), sulfate (FeSO4), and chelated (Fe-chelated)—as a foliar spray on the growth, fruiting aspects, and nutritional status of these trees compared to control. The highest values of the tested parameters were reported when the highest Fe-NPs level and the highest Fe-chelated (EDTA) rate were used. Results obtained here showed that the spraying of the Washington navel orange trees grown under similar environmental conditions and horticulture practices adopted in the current experiment with Fe-NPs (nanoform) and/or Fe-chelated (EDTA) at 0.1% is a beneficial application for enhancing vegetative growth, flower set, tree nutritional status, and fruit production and quality. Application of Fe-NPs and Fe-chelated (EDTA, 0.1%) increased yield by 32.0% and 25% and total soluble solids (TSS) by 18.5% and 17.0%, respectively, compared with control. Spraying Washington navel orange trees with nano and chelated iron could be considered a significant way to improve vegetative growth, fruit production, quality, and nutritional status while also being environmentally preferred in the arid regions.

Broccoli is a popular vegetable throughout the world and contains important nutritional features. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect the fertilization with different phosphorus sources (i.e., soil application of rock phosphate (RP) at 428 kg ha−1, calcium superphosphate (CSP) at 670 kg ha−1, phosphoric acid (PA) at 126 L ha−1 and monoammonium phosphate (MAP) at 334 kg ha−1) combined with biofertilizers (i.e., inoculation with phosphorin or mycorrhiza) on plant growth aspects, antioxidants enzyme activity, chemical constituents, yield and quality of broccoli leaves and heads (Brassica oleracea var. italica Plenck). The experiment was performed according to the randomized complete block design with three replications (n = 3), for two growing seasons (2018–2019) at the experimental farm of Benha University, Egypt. The obtained results showed that the highest values of plant height, leaf area, fresh and dry weight of leaves/plant, head weight and diameter, and the highest yield of heads ha−1 were recorded in plants that received MAP fertilizer and were inoculated with mycorrhiza. On the other hand, the highest value of head length, total carbohydrate and total soluble solids (TSS) content were observed in plants fertilized with PA and inoculated with mycorrhiza. The highest leaf nitrogen % and head ascorbic acid content, as well as the lowest head total phenol content were recorded in plants supplemented with MAP fertilizer and inoculated with mycorrhiza. Moreover, broccoli plants fertilized with PA and inoculated with mycorrhiza showed promising results in terms of phosphorus, potassium and total carbohydrate content, antioxidant activity and dehydrogenase activity. In conclusion, phosphorus may affect plant growth, yield and chemical parameters in broccoli plants depending on the fertilizer source, while inoculation with mycorrhiza may also have a beneficial impact on these parameters.

Sweet pepperincludes several vitamins and is regarded as a great source of bioactive nutrients, such as carotenoids and phenolic compounds, for human growth and activities. This work aimed to investigate the effects of the soil addition of growth stimulants, namely, effective microorganisms (EM), compost tea, fulvic acid, and yeast extract, and foliar applications of seaweed extract, on the vegetative growth, enzyme activity, phytohormones content, chemical constituents of plant foliage, fruit yield, and fruit quality of sweet pepper plants (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Zidenka) growing under greenhouse conditions. The results showed that the tallest plant, largest leaf area/plant, and heaviest plant fresh and dry weights were recorded after combining a soil addition of yeast extract and foliar spray with seaweed extracts at 3 g/L in two growing seasons. The highest number of fruit/plant, fruit yield/m2, fruit values of vitamin C (VC), total sugars, total soluble solids (TSS), and carotenoids, along with the highest leaf of cytokines, P, K, Fe, and total carbohydrates values, were obtained using a soil addition of fulvic acid and spray with seaweed extract at 3 g/L in the two seasons of study. These treatments also provided the lowest abscisic acid, peroxidase, and super oxidase dismutase values in the same conditions. Sweet pepper plants supplemented with compost tea and seaweed extract foliar spray at 3 g/L were the most promising for inducing the highest values of fruit fresh and dry weights, fruit length and diameter, and the leavesrichest in N, Zn, and Mn; inversely, it induced the lowest catalase levels in both seasons. The applications of EM, yeast extract, and seaweed extract could be applied for high growth, mineral levels, enzymatic activity, fruit yield, and nutritional value of sweet pepper fruit and minimizing environmental pollution.

The goal of this study was to examine how to improve the vegetative growth, nutritional status, productivity, and fruit quality of Washington navel orange trees by examining the effect of foliar application of ZnSO4 (0, 300, and 600 mg/L) solutions in combination with CuSO4 (0, 200, and 400 mg/L) solutions on Washington navel orange trees, which were 11 years old and grown in clay loam soil with a surface irrigation system. The results showed that all the investigated measurements responded specifically to each investigated factor. ZnSO4 elicited a stronger and more effective response than CuSO4. Nonetheless, the response varied only slightly or moderately from one measurement to the next. In terms of the interaction effect between ZnSO4 and CuSO4 concentrations, the effect of each investigated factor was directly reflected in its combinations, with ZnSO4 (600 mg/L) and CuSO4 (200 and 400 mg/L) being the most effective for the majority of the measurements under consideration. When the highest level of ZnSO4 was combined with the highest level of CuSO4, the highest values for the various vegetative growth parameters shoot length and diameter, number of leaves per shoot, leaf area, and total assimilation area per shoot were obtained. As a result, the nutritional status (the highest total leaf chlorophyll and leaf mineral contents) was significantly coupled with the treatment of 600 mg/L ZnSO4 in combination with 400 mg/L CuSO4. Moreover, the combinations of the highest ZnSO4 concentration (600 mg/L) and CuSO4 concentration (400 mg/L) exhibited the greatest statistical values of the measurements of fruiting aspects as well as fruit quality. Consequently, it can be recommended that using 600 mg/L ZnSO4 in combination with 400 mg/L CuSO4 as a foliar spray on monthly basis during the period from March to July could be safely recommended under similar environmental conditions and horticulture practices adopted in the present experiment.

Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana, L.) is receiving increasing global interest as a diabetes-focused herb associated with zero-calorie stevioside sweetener glycoside production. This study was conducted to determine whether the arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM), as a biofertilizer integrated with nano boron (B), zinc (Zn), and molybdenum (Mo), would improve stevia growth and stevioside content. A factorial experiment with four replicates was conducted to evaluate the effect of AM at 0, 150, and 300 spore/g soil and three nano microelements B at 100 mg/L, Zn at 100 mg/L, and Mo at 40 mg/L on growth performance, stevioside, mineral contents, and biochemical contents of stevia. Results indicated that the combination of AM at 150 and B at 100 mg/L significantly increased plant height, number of leaves, fresh and dry-stem, and herbal g/plant during the 2019 and 2020 growing seasons. Chlorophyll content was increased by the combination between AM at 150 spore/g soil and B at 100 mg/L during both seasons. Stevioside content in leaves was increased by AM at 150 spore/g soil and B at 100 mg/L during the second season. In addition, N, P, K, Zn, and B in the leaf were increased by applying the combination of AM and nano microelements. Leaf bio constituent contents were increased with AM at 150 spore/g soil and B at 100 mg/L during both seasons. The application of AM and nano B can be exploited for high growth, mineral, and stevioside contents as a low-calorie sweetener product in stevia.