Effect of chemical fertilization biostimulants and media on growth of magnolia seedlings Magnolia grandiflora L.

This study was carried out in the glasshouse of the Experimental Nursery of Ornamental Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, to study the effect of chemical fertilization, some biostimulants and media on growth of magnolia seedlings. (Magnolia grandiflora L.). The obtained results can be summarized as follows: Effect of magnesium, zinc and boron on magnolia seedlings: Foliar application of B at 10 ppm, Zn at 50 ppm and Mg at 50 ppm significantly promoted plant height, stem diameter and number of leaves over the control plants at the first year, whereas Zn at 50 ppm, B at 20 ppm and Mg at 25 ppm were increased leaf area at first and second years. Chemical constituents i.e. chlorophyll (a), chlorophyll (b), caroteniods, mineral content of N, P and K % and carbohydrate content (% D. W.) of different plant organs were increased by application of the aforementioned treatments compared with control plants. Effect of biostimulants and growth reglutors on magnolia seedlings: The seedlings treated with humic acid at 2ml/l gave the thickest stem at the two years, heaviest fresh weight of stems and the roots and produced the longest roots, whereas, amino acid at 2ml/1 increased the leaf area in both years. The application of BA at 10 ppm increased the plant height at the first year. As well as, increased the number of leaves/plant at the second year. Also, increased the pigment content (chlorophyll-a, b and caroteniods).Using algae at 2gm/l increased N % in different plant organs. Effect of growing media on Magnolia grandiflora L. seedlings: Growing the magnolia seedlings in a mixture of peat moss + sand + perlite produced the tallest plants, the highest values of stem thickness, the largest leaves, formed the maximum number of leaves, tallest roots and the heaviest fresh weight of leaves, stems and roots. As well as, increased the accumulation of P in leaves. The mixture of peat moss + sand increased the content of chlorophyll-a, b and caroteniods. The carbohydrates content in the different plant organs was increased by adding vermiculite to the mixtures of peat moss + sand. Using peat moss + sand + clay increased N% in the leaves and stems of the seedlings.