Doctoral Dissertation at University of Basrah Examines Enhancing Washingtonia Palm Growth Using Biostimulants
A doctoral dissertation at the College of Agriculture, University of Basrah, investigated the effects of biostimulants and nanomaterials on the vegetative and chemical characteristics and bioactive compounds of the Washingtonia palm crown under drought stress.
The dissertation, submitted by Jawad Kazim Shihit, aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of brassinosteroid and nano-selenium in enhancing the palm’s tolerance to drought, as well as to investigate the accumulation of bioactive compounds and the gene expression of proline and abscisic acid.
The results demonstrated the effectiveness of the treatments in reducing the effects of water deficiency and regulating biological responses, while enhancing cell membrane stability and improving the chemical composition of the palm crown.
The study recommended applying a combination of 0.2 mL/L brassinosteroid and 50 mg/L nano-selenium to mitigate drought damage, and expanding the use of biostimulants and nanotechnologies in other palm and tree species.
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