PHOSPHATE FERTILIZER AND NANO-MAGNESIUM FERTILIZATION EFFECTS ON GENE EXPRESSION, GROWTH, AND YIELD TRAITS OF DATURA (DATURA STRAMONIUM L.)

Abstract

A study on the effects of phosphate fertilization and nano-magnesium application on several genes that control alkaloid synthesis, growth, and yield traits in Datura (Datura stramonium L.) underwent a field experiment in 2021 at the College of Agriculture, the University of Kerbala, Iraq. Using a randomized complete block design, the experiment had two factors with three replications. The first factor used phosphate (P) fertilizer, i.e., 0, 25, 50, and 75 kg P ha-1, while the second factor included a nano-magnesium application by spraying with concentrations of 0, 60, 120, and 180 mg Mg L-1. The results showed that adding 50 and 75 kg P ha-1 caused a decline in the concentration of atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine in Datura leaves (22.77, 81.02, and 68.90 mg g-1) and seeds (40.93, 65.69 and 99.79 mg g-1), respectively. Sequentially, 25 and 50 kg P ha-1 generated the most yields of alkaloids in Datura leaves, with an average of 149.10 and 149.12 kg P ha-1. Nano-magnesium application at the concentration of 180 mg Mg L-1 caused a significant decrease in the concentration of atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine in seeds and leaves, i.e., with average values in leaves (29.50, 90.25, and 71.25 mg g-1) and seeds (46.25, 82.49 and 121.320 mg g-1), respectively. However, nano-magnesium concentrations of 0 and 120 mg Mg L-1 gave the highest yield of alkaloids in the leaves, with average values of 152.30 and 152.81 kg ha-1. The nano-magnesium concentration of 120 mg Mg L-1 contributed the largest yield of alkaloids in seeds, with an average of 78.65 kg ha-1. The results also showed phosphorus addition significantly decreased the PMT, TR1, and H6H gene expressions, whereas nano-magnesium application only reduced the H6H gene expression. High quantities of fertilizers phosphorus and nano-magnesium boost Datura's vegetative growth and production but lowered the alkaloid yield, thus recommending a balanced proportion.