Synergistic effects of spray with selenium and succinic acid and adding seaweed extract in lemon transplants growth and leaves mineral content

Abstract

This experiment was conducted in wooden shade belonging to Department of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, Univ. Baghdad in Abu Ghraib, during 2025 growing season, using local lemon transplants. 162 uniform transplants were brought in for experiment. Factors of study experiment included a spraying with selenium at three concentrations; without spray (S₀), spraying at 5 mg.L^-1 (S₅) and spraying at 10 mg.L^-1 (S₁₀), As for succinic acid spray, they were sprayed in three levels, without spray (A₀), spraying at 100 mg.L-¹ (A₁₀₀)   and spraying at 200 mg.L^-1 (A₂₀₀) and addition of two levels of seaweed extract to soil, without addition (F₀), and 20 ml. transplant^-1 (F₂₀). A factorial experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications and three transplants per experimental unit. Experimental results showed that selenium spray at 10 ml.L^-1(S₁₀) significantly increased in plant height of 8.52 cm, highest leaf area of 27.23 cm², leaves nitrogen content of 2.09 %, phosphor content of 0.348 % and leaves potassium content of 1.82 %. Results also showed that succinic acid spray especially at 200 mg.L^-1 (A₂₀₀), showed significant superiority in increased in plant height of 8.75 cm, leaf area of 29.06 cm², leaves nitrogen content of 2.01%, phosphor of 0.345 % and leaves potassium content of 1.82 %. Seaweed extract adding also affected, especially adding 20 ml.transplant^-1 (F₂₀) and gave highest increasing of plant height of 8.95 cm, highest leaf area of 27.84 cm², leaves nitrogen content of 2.06%, phosphor of 0.348 % and leaves potassium content of 1.74 %. Twice and triple interactions between study factors significantly affected in all studied traits.