Effect of Spraying with Alpha-Tocopherol on the Floral and Root Growth Characteristics of Catharanthus vinca Under Different Levels of Field Capacity

This study was conducted in the wooded canopy of the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, College of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Mosul, from 1/6/ 2024 to 1/12/ 2024. The aim was to investigate the effect of spraying alpha-tocopherol and irrigation levels on some floral and root growth traits and chemical properties of Catharanthus vinca . The study included two concentrations of alpha-tocopherol (0, and 0.025) g L-1, with three irrigation levels (60, 80, and 100%) of field capacity. The factorial experiment was implemented using a randomized complete block design (RCBD), with each treatment replicated three times, with four plants per replicate. The results showed a significant effect of spraying with alpha-tocopherol on the two characteristics of anthocyanin content and proline content in the plant, while alpha-tocopherol did not significantly affect the number of flowers, the time required for the appearance of the flower bud, the length of the longest root, and the chlorophyll content in the plant. The results showed a significant effect of spraying with alpha-tocopherol on the two characteristics of anthocyanin content and proline content in the plant, while alpha-tocopherol did not significantly affect the number of flowers, the time required for the emergence of the flower bud, the length of the longest root, and the chlorophyll content in the plant. Meanwhile, irrigation levels significantly affected the time required for the emergence of the flower bud, the chlorophyll content in the plant, and the anthocyanin and proline content in the plant, while irrigation levels did not significantly affect the two characteristics of the number of flowers and the length of the longest root.