Improving the growth of fennel plant grown under salinity stress using some biostimulants

Abstract

The efficiency of some biostimulants, as natural and safe compounds for humans and environment, were studied on alleviation the adverse effect of salinity on Foeniculum vulgare (fennel). Seaweed extract (1.5, 3 and 4.5 cm L -1), amino acids (1, 2 and 3 cm L -1) and dry yeast (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 g L -1) were used, as foliar application. Humic acid (1, 2 and 3 g L -1) was used, as foliar application and soil drench. Humic acid at 3 g L -1 increased significantly most of the studied traits, when added as a soil application. Most of the studied traits increased gradually with increasing the concentration of dry yeast. The concentrations of dry yeast (20 and 25 g L -1) were the most effective treatments, as compared with other studied-substances for overcoming the negative effect of salinity. Enhancing plant growth under salinity stress, was combined with increasing the accumulation of potassium and reducing the sodium ions.