Maximizing growth and antioxidants of carrot plant (Dacus carota L.) by foliar application of hornwort extract, Phenylalanine and Nano-Potassium.

Two field trials were conducted in Babylon governorate, Tufael town which is located in the Al-Kifl district in a mixed sandy soil for the growing seasons 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 to assess the impact of hornwort extract, phenylalanine amino acid, and Nano-potassium and it’s interactions on growth and antioxidants accumulation of carrots plant. The treatments were implemented within Randomized Complete Block Design (R.C.B.D) with three factors and three replications. The trial comprised three factors, the first is spraying hornwort extract with three concentrations of 0, 4 and 8 ml. L-1, and the second factor included the spraying amino acid Phenylalanine with three concentrations 0, 75 and 150 mg.L-1 and the third factor included the spraying Nano-potassium fertilizer with three concentrations 0, 1 and 2 g.L-1 . The averages were compared according to the least significant difference (L.S.D) test at a probability level of 0.05. The results showed that the triple-interaction (A3B3C3) between hornwort extract (8ml.L-1), phenylalanine (150mg.L-1) and Nano-potassium (2g.L-1) was superior to all treatments in achieving the highest values in leaf area (112.30, 116.10 cm2), leaves fresh weight (61.25, 66.56 g), total chlorophyll content of leaves (290.09, 305.20 mg.100 f. w ), beta-carotene (10.05, 10.19 mg.100 f. w) and ascorbic acid (7.80, 8.20 mg.100 ml f. w) for two seasons respectively. The favorable formulation that carrots strongly respond to is thevA3B3C3 treatment.