Comparative Foliar Nutrient Management Modifies Relative Chlorophyll Status, Leaf Colour, Edible Biomass and Mineral Element Composition of Scaligeria napiformis Under Pot Cultivation

Scaligeria napiformis (Willd. ex Spreng) Grande is an underutilized wild edible plant associated with the Cretan flora and diet, yet cultivation-oriented information on its response to nutrient management remains limited. This study compared two practical foliar nutrient management regimes, including a biostimulant-containing foliar product (INM-b) and a conventional foliar fertilization regime (CovF), together with an untreated control (Ctrl). Relative chlorophyll status, assessed by SPAD, maximum quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry (Fv/Fm), CIE L*a*b* leaf colour parameters, fresh and dry biomass, and macro- and micronutrient concentrations in the edible aerial parts were determined. Foliar nutrient management significantly affected the SPAD-based relative chlorophyll status, leaf colour, edible biomass and selected mineral elements, whereas Fv/Fm was not significantly affected by treatment. CovF was associated with the highest SPAD values, darker, greener and less yellow leaves, and the highest N, Zn and Fe concentrations. Both INM-b and CovF increased fresh and dry biomass relative to the Ctrl and increased the P, K and Mn concentrations, while Ca, Mg and B were not significantly affected. Because INM-b and CovF differed in nutrient composition, formulation and nutrient supply, the present design does not isolate the specific effect of the biostimulant-containing component. Therefore, these findings should be interpreted as preliminary responses of S. napiformis to the tested foliar management strategies under pot cultivation, requiring future validation through isonutrient-, factorial- and field-based experiments.