Integrative Application of Foliar Yeast Extract and Gibberellic Acid Improves Morpho-Physiological Responses and Nutrient Uptake of Solidago virgaurea Plant in Alkaline Soil
Samah M. Youssef, Ebtsam M. Abdella, Omar A. A. I. Al‐Elwany, Khalid S. Alshallash, Khadiga Alharbi, Mariam T. S. Ibrahim, Moataz M. Tawfik, Abdelghafar M. Abu-Elsaoud, Amr Elkelish
Abstract
Alkaline soils have fertility issues due to poor physical qualities, which have a negative impact on crop growth and output. Solidago is used in flower arrangements, bouquet filler, and traditional medicine. The possible biological fertilizers’ eco-friendly and cost-effective nature favours farmers because of the vital role in soil productivity and environmental sustainability. A field experiment was performed during two successive seasons to explore the effect of applying yeast extract (YE) at (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 g/L) and/or gibberellic acid (GA3) at (control, 100, 200, and 300 ppm) on the morpho-physiological parameters, macronutrients, and biochemical constituents of Solidago virgaurea. The results emphasize that YE (1.5 g/L) and/or GA3 (300 ppm) treatments show the highest significant increase in plant growth (i.e., plant height, no. of branches, fresh and dry weight of shoots); photosynthetic efficiency (i.e., chlorophyll (a), chlorophyll (b) and total carotenoids); macronutrient content (i.e., N, P, and K); and biochemical constituents (i.e., total soluble sugars, total phenolic, total flavonoids, and total glycosides). The study results recommend using YE and GA3 in combination at concentrations of 1.5 g/L and 300 ppm, respectively, to improve Solidago production sustainability under alkaline soil conditions.