Effect of Foliar Spray With Some Natural Plant Extracts on Earliness, Productivity and Quality of Globe Artichoke

Abstract

This study was conducted to estimate whether foliar spray with some natural plant extracts could enhance earliness, productivity and quality of globe artichoke hence, two field experiments were carried out during two seasons of 2012 /2013 and 2013/ 2014 at the Hort. Res. Farm of El-Bramoon, Dakahlia Governorate, to investigate the effect of foliar spray with garlic extract rates (1, 2 and 3 ml/L) and moringia leaf extract rates (1, 2 and 3 ml/L) on earliness, productivity and quality as well as chemical constituents of globe artichoke(Cynara scolymus L.) plants cv. Balady. The main results can be summarized as follows: The results indicated that increasing moringia leaf extract and garlic extract rates up to 3 ml/L of each were accompanied with significant increases in vegetative growth characters (plant height, Leaf area of leaves, dry weight of leaves and number of shoots/plant) and yield distribution (early, middle , late yield and total yield/fed.) compared with control. Application of moringia leaf extract and garlic extract rates improved most head quality characteristics (head weight, length, diameter, receptacle fresh and dry matter). However, there were no significant differences in terms of head TSS in the second seasons. Dry matter, N, P, K, protein, total sugars and total carbohydrates contents in receptacle were positively and significantly responded to moringia leaf extract and garlic extract rates in the two seasons. The foliar spraying with moringia leaf extract at rates of 3 ml/L seemed to be the most effective treatment, which gave a balanced vegetative growth, a higher early yield as well as a good quality. Moreover, this particular treatment was more beneficial compared to all other treatments.