The Influence of Some Antioxidants Foliar Applications on Cleopatra Mandarin Rootstock Seedlings Performance

This study was conducted on Cleopatra mandarin seedlings under a greenhouse conditions in citrus nursery, Horticulture Research Institute, Giza, Egypt. during two successive seasons (2022-2023), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at a concentration of 500 mg/L, vitamin E (tocopherol) at concentration of 2 mg/L and selenium (Na2SeO3) at a concentration of 0.3 mg/L as antioxidants, either individually or in combination, in order to shortening the growth period of Cleopatra mandarin rootstock seedlings to the grafting stage and achieving the highest economic return. Obtained results revealed a considerable enhancement in all tested parameters of leaf area, number of leaves/seedling, leaves and shoots dry matter percentage, percentage of increase in both seedling stem (length and diameter), grafting success percentage, leaf pigments contents, leaf indole and phenol contents, mineral content of leaves and antioxidant enzymes activities as compared with the control. While, the optimum results were obtained from the combination treatments Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at 500 mg/L + Selenium (Na2SeO3) at 0.3 mg/L.