Stimulation of Lime’s (Citrus aurantifolia) Seedlings Growth by Macro and Micro-nutrients, Hormones and Botanical Treatments

Abstract

NPK, micro elements, growth regulators namely BA and GA3, and Argelwere tested in various concentrations to enhance the growth of lime’s seedlings. Each seedling was planted in 40X20 cm plastic bag. In each test, the complete randomized block design was used with 5 replicates where each treatment was composed of 2 seedlings. Treatments were repeated every 3 months after data recording. The 2 g NPK proved to be the most the satisfactory fertilizer treatment. It resulted in seedlings that can satisfy the desired seedling quality traits for transplanting in the field at the second reading. Regarding micro elements, B and Fe resulted in tallest seedlings, while circumference and leaf length were equally increased by Zn, Fe and Mn. Boron was the best promoter of the number of branches and leaves. The test of BA and GA3 concentrations revealed the advantage of BA over GA3 in promoting growth attributes; and in particular the 20 mg/l BA was the most effective treatment as it resulted in considerable increments in most measured parameters of seedling growth. According to the final reading, the 15 and 20 g Argel treatments enhanced seedling height substantially and the reverse was true for the number of branches per seedling. The 10 g treatment resulted in widest circumference, while the 20 g resulted in the highest number of leaves. The 15 g treatment was the best enhancer for leaf length and width. The overall growth of seedlings was significantly stimulated by Argel applications.