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Abstract
Mohga Khalifa Goda Khalifa Diab. Effect of Amino Acids Application on the Growth and Quality of Schefflera actinophylla and Codiaeum varigatum. Unpublished M.Sc. Thesis, Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, 2017.
This study was carried out during the two successive seasons of 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 at the experimental farm of ornamental plants in the Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of amino acids applied as a mixture from a commercial amino acid compound (Amino-zeid) on growth and quality of Schefflera actinophylla and Codiaem varigatum plants. Amino acids were applied at the rate of 250, 500 and 1000 ppm by two methods of application, viz. soil drench (SD) and foliar spray (FS) making up eight treatments as follows: 1) Amino-zeid solution as SD at 250 ppm, 2) Amino-zeid solution as SD at 500 ppm, 3) Amino-zeid solution as SD at 1000 ppm, 4) Tap water as SD (control 1), 5) Amino-zeid solution as FS at 250 ppm, 6) Amino-zeid solution as FS at 500 ppm, 7) Amino-zeid solution as FS at 1000 ppm, and 8) Tap water as FS (control 2). Application of amino acid treatments began 30 days after transplanting then repeated at 30 days intervals for 12 months. Data were collected for aboveground and underground plant parts, in addition to internal chemical contents. Results indicated that in both plant species, there were positive correlations between amino acids applied and increases in vegetative and root parameters studied and in accumulation of internal chemical components regardless of method application.
Chemical elements and compounds affected by amino acids applied were nitrogen content as a percentage (N), phosphorous content as a percentage (P), potassium content as a percentage (K), total carbohydrates, total chlorophyll in Schefflera actinophylla only, besides total carotenoids and total anthocyanins in Codiaeum varigatum only. However, N content as a percentage was increased inside Schefflera actinophylla, in one season only. In Schefflera actinophylla aboveground plants parts, SD application with 1000 ppm amino acids increased plant height, number of leaves/plant and stem diameter in both seasons. With regards to, underground plant parts of Schefflera actinophylla, SD or FS application with amino acids at 1000 ppm in 1st season and also in the 2nd season 500 ppm as SD all increased root length/plant, root fresh and dry weight/plant. At the same time, amino acids treatment with 500 ppm as FS and 250 ppm as SD in 1st season, and 250 ppm as FS in 2nd season, increased P content. In the meantime amino acids treatment with 1000 ppm as SD and 500 ppm as SD or FS increased K as a percentage. Also, total chlorophyll in leaves of Schefflera actinophylla was increased when treated with amino acids at 1000 ppm as FS. Whereas, total carbohydrates level increased by the lowest concentration of amino acids applied at 250 ppm. In Codiaeum varigatum aboveground plant parts in both seasons, when treating plants with 1000 ppm amino acids as SD or FS and also with 500 ppm as SD they all increased plant height, number of branches/plant, number of leaves/plant, stem diameter, as well as vegetative fresh and dry weight/plant. As for underground plant parts in both seasons, the same abovementioned treatments gave high values of root length, root fresh and dry weight/plant. N and K internal contents in both seasons, were significantly increased as a result of amino acids application at 1000 ppm as FS and at 500 ppm as SD. Whereas, P increased by the lower concentration 500 ppm in the 1st season, and by the lowest concentration 250 ppm in the 2nd season. In both seasons, amino acids treatment at the lowest concentration (250 ppm) as SD or FS raised total carbohydrates. As far as total carotenoids content, amino acids treatment at 500 ppm as SD in the 1st season, and at 1000 ppm in the 2nd season, both increased its content in leaves. Whereas, total anthocyanins content was increased only in the 2nd season by amino acids treatment at 250 ppm as FS.
Keywords: Schefflera actinophylla, Queensland Umberella tree, Codiaeum varigatum, Joseph’s coat, Amino acid(s), Amino-zeid, Soil drench, Foliar spray, Foliage-pot plants, Ornamental plants, vegetative growth, Internal chemical composition.