Response of Wonderful Pomegranate Cutting to Foliar Application of Humic Acid and Different Growth Medium

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different growing mediums {sand, peat moss, and mix (sand + peat moss 1:1 v/v)} and spraying with 0,100 and 150 mg L^-1 of humic acid on vegetative and root parameters of “Wonderful” pomegranate hardwood cuttings at Bakrejo nursery station, Sulaimania city, Iraq in 2021. They were planted in polyethylene black bags on 15-3-2021. Using randomized complete block design within the factorial experiments with three blocks. The results indicated that leaves, roots and shoots number, root wet weight, and root length were increased significantly in peat moss medium. Cuttings grown in a mixed medium showed a significant increase of leaf growth including leaf area, leaf dry weight, and chlorophyll content. In addition, spraying with 100 mgL^-1 of humic acid caused a significant increase in the root characteristics, and shoot number compared to the control. Furthermore, the maximum root growth was recorded in the interaction between peat moss medium and applying 100 mgL^-1 of humic acid compared to other treatments.