Effect of foliar application with yeast extract (25 and 50 ml/l) and zinc (75 and 150 ppm) on growth and productivity of faba bean cv Giza 3 was evaluated during 2005/ 2006 and 2006/2007 seasons. Results revealed that foliar application with yeast extract and zinc either individually or in mixture significantly increased many growth aspects as number of leaves per plant, dry weights of both stems and leaves per plant and total leaf area as well, at 75 and 95 days after sowing during the two seasons as compared with the control treatments. In addition foliar spraying with yeast extract at 50 ml/l and zinc at 75 ppm increased photosynthetic pigments, NPK, Zn, total sugars, total free amino acids and crude protein content in leaves at 75 and 95 days after sowing. Also, yeast and zinc treatment not only increased endogenous phytohormones (Auxins and cytokinins) but also decreased abscisic acid at 80 days after sowing during second season. Furthermore, all treatments not only increased number of formed flowers and setted pods per plant, but also showed contradictory effect upon shedding percentage of both flowers and immature pods per plant, consequently that was reversed upon increment of pod weight per plant and final seed yield as well. Hence, it could be recommended that foliar spraying with yeast extract at 50 ml/l and zinc at 75 ppm can be used to increase the final yield and seed quality of faba bean plants in Egypt. |
