Effect of Rootstock Type and Foliar Spray Seaweed Extract on Some Growth Characteristics of Mandarine Seedlings, cv.Clementine.

Abstract

A factorial experiment was conducted within a complete randomized block design in the lath house of Horticulture Department, College of Agriculture, University of Baghdad from March 2013 to April 2014 to investigate the effect of some citrus rootstocks and foliar spray seaweed extract"Kelpak" on the growth of mandarine seedlings, cv. Clementine.The experiment included four of citrus rootstocks (sour orange, volkamer lemon, Cleopatra mandarine and rough lemon), and Kelpak , sprayed at three levels of seaweed extract (0 , 2 and 4 ml L-1) . Results showed that the rootstock had a significant effect on vegetative characteristics and leaves mineral content, rough lemon and volkamer lemon rootstocks gave the highest values in most vegetative characteristics and P,K leaves content while these rootstocks decreased chlorophyll and nitrogen leaves content, the results also showed that foliar application of Kelpak had a significant effect on most vegetative growth characteristics and mineral leaves content especially the level 4ml L-1, while the control treatment recorded the lowest average of these properties.