The presented study determined the effects of foliar application of marine algae extract and Humax on the pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) seedlings beneath the plant canopy, carried out in 2023 at the University of Kerbala, Kerbala, Iraq. The experiment layout was in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with factorial arrangement, three factors, and three replications. The first factor was the two pomegranate cultivars (Wonderful and Slimi), the second factor was marine algal extract concentrations (0, 1.5, and 3 ml L-1), while the third was the Humax levels (0.25, 0.25, and 0.50 g L-1). Pomegranate cultivar Wonderful showed the highest content of chlorophyll, carbohydrates, nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium, compared with the cultivar Slimi. Marine algal extract (3 ml L-1) and humax (0.50 g L-1) also performed better and improved the biochemical composition of the pomegranate. Cultivars in interaction with marine algae extract also performed well and improved the traits. However, cultivar Wonderful with marine algal extract (3 ml L-1) and humax (0.50 g L-1) had the highest averages for the chlorophyll, carbohydrates, nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium. The marine algae extract and Humax binary interaction considerably affected the study variables in the pomegranate.
Pomegranate (P. granatum L.), marine algae extract, Humax, interaction, physiological and biochemical traits
The pomegranate (P. granatum L.) cultivar Wonderful, in integration with marine algae (3 ml L-1) and humax (0.50 g L-1), achieved the highest averages for physiological and biochemical traits.