Impact of exogenous ascorbic acid and putrescine on vegetative, root system morphology and chemical composition of clementine Mandarin saplings

Abstract

Spraying with antioxidants and polyamines is one of the techniques that contribute to improving vegetative growth and the architectural structure of the roots, in addition to improving the chemical content of the plant. The objective of the study was to enhance the traits related to vegetative growth, root development, and chemical composition of one-year-old Clementine mandarin saplings. This was achieved by applying ascorbic acid through foliar application at different concentrations (0,300, 600, 900 mg/L) and utilizing three concentrations of putrescine (0,75,150 mg/L). The results showed that most of the growth indicators in terms of main shoot number, main shoot length, vegetative dry weight, taproot length, secondary lateral roots number, secondary lateral roots length, roots system dry weight, chlorophyll, and vitamin C content in leaf, and shoots carbohydrate content were significantly increased with increasing concentration. The ascorbic acid is more effective at 900 mg/L than other concentrations, whereas putrescine was more effective at 150 mg/L, contrasted with 75 mg/L and control.