Response of Kigelia africana (Lam.) Benth Transplants to Nano-NPK and Nano-Chitosan under Salinity Stress

Abstract

during two seasons, 2021 and 2022. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of foliar application with nano-NPK and nano-chitosan using different doses under soil salinity stress on the growth and physiochemical attributes of Kigelia africana L. transplants. The treatments were mineral NPK using 5 g L -1 as a control, nano-NPK at three doses including 1, 2, and 3 ml L -1 , as well as nano-NPK at only one dose of 2 ml L -1 + nanochitosan at three doses (i.e., 1, 2 and 3 ml L -1 ) for each. The obtained results showed that the applied nano-NPK at 2 ml L -1 + nano-chitosan at 2 ml L -1 significantly increased plant height (cm), stem diameter (cm), fresh and dry weight of vegetative parts per transplant (g), membrane stability index, as well as root length (cm), number of roots and root fresh and dry weights plant with the superiority of nano-NPK at 2 ml L -1 + nano-chitosan at 2 ml L -1 over control in both seasons. Most treatments recorded significantly higher values in chlorophyll a, b, carotenoids, catalase, and peroxidase activity in the leaves than control, with the superiority of nano-NPK at 2 ml L -1 + nano-chitosan at 2 ml L -1 transplants compared to the control. The nutrient contents of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the leaves were significantly increased over the control for all treatments, especially in the treatment of nano-NPK + nano-chitosan at 2 ml L -1 under soil salinity stress conditions.