ENHANCING THE EFFICIENCY OF ACALYPHA SHRUBS TO TOLERATE IRRIGATION WATER SALINITY USING SOME SOIL ADDITIVES | ||
| Scientific Journal of Flowers and Ornamental Plants | ||
| Volume 12, Issue 2, June 2025, Pages 105-118 PDF (367.61 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Research Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/sjfop.2025.454932 | ||
| Authors | ||
| H. M. El-Feky* ; S. M. Ragaei; O. A. Abdelsadek | ||
| Ornamental Plants and Landscape Gardening Res. Dept., Hort. Res. Inst., ARC, Giza, Egypt | ||
| Abstract | ||
| This study investigated the effects of salinity (0, 2000, and 4000 ppm NaCl) and some soil additives (control, magnetic iron 6 g/pot, magnetic iron 6 g/pot + NPK fertilizer 3 g/pot, magnetic iron 6 g/pot + chicken manure 5 g/pot) on growth, physiological, and biochemical parameters of Acalypha wilkesiana during two consecutive seasons (2019/2020 and 2020/2021). Results demonstrated that increasing salinity significantly reduced fresh and dry weights of shoots and roots, chlorophyll a, b, carotenoids, leaf and branch numbers, plant height, and nutrient uptake (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium). However, soil additives, particularly magnetic iron at 6 g/pot combined with chicken manure 5 g/pot, mitigated salinity-induced stress, enhancing plant resilience. For instance, under 4000 ppm salinity, magnetic iron 6 g/pot + chicken manure 5 g/pot increased shoot fresh weight by 43% compared to the control in the first season. Similarly, chlorophyll a and b, proline levels, and nutrient concentrations improved significantly with fertilization, indicating an improvement of photosynthetic efficiency and osmotic adjustment. The interaction effects of salinity and soil additives were significant, highlighting the role of organic amendments in alleviating salt stress. These findings suggest that magnetic iron-enriched chicken manure can enhance salt tolerance in A. wilkesiana, supporting its cultivation in saline-affected irrigation water. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Acalypha wilkesiana; salinity; magnetic iron; soil additives; chemical fertilization; chicken manure | ||
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