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Foliar nutrient effects on eggplant cultivars

allowing the combination of growth regulators and hypothesized that foliar application of Kinglife and
nutrients in one application. 15 Al-Nibras at different concentrations would significantly
The presence of nutrients in the soil is a key to improve eggplant growth, yield, and nutrient availability,
agricultural productivity. However, their contents are particularly for the Jawaher cultivar.
influenced by soil chemical and physical properties, This study aimed to determine the most suitable
including pH, salinity, and aeration. In this context, the eggplant cultivar for cultivation by comparing the
use of soil conditioners is significant. These conditioners growth and yield of two different cultivars. It also
promote the content of soil and the retention of water sought to identify the optimal combination of three
and nutrients in the soil, aiding the absorption of vital nutritional elements and explore the ideal concentration
nutrients by plants. The combination of nutritional of the applied solution.
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provision and soil amelioration creates many
opportunities for the future design of more efficient 2. Materials and methods
and sustainable agricultural systems, enhancing the
odds of successful investment in agricultural activities. In one of the fields at the College of Agriculture,
The genotypic difference of the two brinjal hybrids, University of Baghdad, a field experiment was
Barcelona and Jawaher, may result in variations in their conducted during the 2023 – 2024 growing season.
response to fertilization through leaf or root. Hence, The objective was to investigate how the two cultivars
to plan and design effective fertilization programs, of eggplant (Barcelona and Jawaher) responded to the
it is necessary to understand the interaction effect of nutrient solutions (Al-Nibras and Kinglife) in terms of
fertilizers and cultivars and elucidate the physical plant yields, their traits, and nutrient availability. Three
properties of each cultivar. 18,19 parameters were included in the experiment based on
Besides their effects on plants, these fertilizers the split-split plot arrangement and the randomized
ameliorate the soil chemical and physical properties complete block design. Soil samples were collected and
by increasing nutrient uptake by plants and reducing analyzed before the experiment to assess uniformity
nutrient loss. These enhance the nutritional balance in baseline nutrient levels. The field was homogenized
in the root zone while promoting the soil’s microbial through standard tillage and amendment practices to
activity. When they are used in the optimal mode, they ensure consistent initial conditions across all plots.
can also reduce the loss of nutrients in the soil and Initially, the main plots (main plot) were occupied
lessen the possibility of soil environment pollution and by the cultivars (Barcelona and Jawaher), the secondary
nutrient imbalance. 20 plots (subplot) were occupied by two types of foliar
The method of irrigation used is essential to achieve nutrients (Al-Nibras and Kinglife), and the tertiary
good absorption of the nutrients from fertilizers, plots (sub-subplot) were occupied by four spray
especially in modern irrigation systems (such as drip concentrations (0, 3, 6, and 9 g/L) for both nutrient
irrigation), where fertilizers are supplied directly to the solutions. The experiment included three replicates for
root zone, aiding in the efficient absorption of nutrients each treatment. To calculate the average, samples were
and reducing the loss of nutrients. 21,22 Thus, the randomly selected from each experimental unit at a rate
interaction between solution type and irrigation system of eight plants for the attributes under study. Following
is important to promote higher crop yields and quality. the preparation of the field soil through plowing,
Eggplant is a vegetable crop of high economic leveling, smoothing, and amending, several samples
and nutritional importance and is widely grown were extracted from the trial soil to perform physical and
in greenhouses and open fields. To achieve high chemical analyses. The samples were analyzed at the
productivity and excellent fruit quality, environmental soil and water laboratories at the Al-Mussaib Technical
and management factors, such as fertilization, irrigation, College, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University
and tillage, are crucial. These factors directly affect the (Table 1). The field was arranged in rows, with 40 cm
efficiency of water and nutrient use. 23 between plants and 1.5 m between rows. On March 25,
Focusing on these aspects is essential to achieving 2024, the seedlings were transferred to their permanent
sustainable agriculture, as improving soil fertility and location once three to four true leaves had formed. All
quality, along with increasing plant efficiency, leads agricultural practices, including fertilization, irrigation,
to an integrated production system that achieves food weeding, and pest control, were performed uniformly
security goals and reduces the environmental impact across all treatments. Approximately 45 days after
of using traditional fertilizers. Therefore, this study moving the seedlings to their permanent site, the first

Volume 22 Issue 5 (2025) 195 doi: 10.36922/AJWEP025170130