Effect of vermicompost extract and foliar nutrition with mannitol and riboflavin B2 on some vegetative growth traits of Myrtle seedlings (Myrtus communis L.)

Abstract

The experiment was conducted in the shade house of the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering, College of Agriculture, University of Kerbala, from 1/3/2024 to 1/7/2024 to study the effects of vermicompost extract, mannitol, and riboflavin B2 on vegetative growth traits of Myrtle seedlings. A randomized complete block design (R.C.B.D) with three replications was used. The factors included vermicompost extract at two concentrations (0 and 2 ml L^-1), mannitol spray at three concentrations (0, 2, and 4 g L^-1), and riboflavin spray at three concentrations (0, 50, and 100 mg L^-1). Results showed that vermicompost extract at concentration (2 ml L^-1) significantly improved seedling height (25.770 cm), diameter (3.076 mm), number of leaves (424.244 leaf seedling^-1), leaf area (3.767 cm²), dry leaf weight (7.656 g), and dry vegetative weight (18.281 g). Mannitol at concentration (4 g L^-1) showed outperformed effects with means of 31.922 cm, 4.097 mm, 540.444 leaf seedling^-1, 4.461 cm², 9.406 g, and 21.983 g, respectively. Riboflavin at concentration (100 mg L^-1) also enhanced growth traits, recording averages of 25.322 cm, 3.113 mm, 425.256 leaf seedling^-1, 3.741 cm², 7.650 g, and 18.316 g respectively. The dual interaction of vermicompost and mannitol most improved vegetative traits, followed by mannitol and riboflavin, while vermicompost with riboflavin had limited effect. The triple intervention achieved the best results, indicating the efficiency of the combined use of the three factors.