Bitter gourd has picked up noteworthy consideration for its pharmacological benefits. However, the impact of amino acids (AAs) dosage on growth, yield, and antioxidants is uncertain. In this study, we investigated the effects of foliar spraying bitter gourd with 100, 200, and 300 mg/L dosages of tryptophan (Trp), glutamine (Gln), and phenylalanine (Phe). The results revealed that Trp, at a dosage of 300 mg/L, produced the most substantial increase in plant length, followed by 300 mg/L Phe. Additionally, the highest values of the fresh dry weight of the plants, fresh weight of the first fruit, fruit number per plant, fresh weight of the fruits per plant, and total fruit output per hectare were seen at 300 mg/L of Trp, followed by 300 mg/L of Gln. Phe at 300 mg/L yielded the highest levels of total phenolics and total flavonoids, coupled with strong scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl. These outcomes show the potential of Trp and Gln foliar sprays to enhance bitter gourd growth, yield, and certain antioxidant compounds. These findings carry substantial implications for the enhancement of bitter gourd cultivation and quality. By revealing AA’s potential for improving bitter gourd, our research contributes to bolstering the agricultural sustainability of this remarkable crop.

Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) is a specialty crop capable of providing healthy food and metabolites. The goal of our study was to explore the possibility of expanding seed yield, oil production, and metabolites of chia in response to amino acid, barthenosteriode, and algae extract treatments used as bio-stimulants. The experiment was conducted in the field in a randomized complete block design with three repeats. The treatments were (1) control (spray only with water), (2) amino acids with nutrients (2 mL/L vs. 4 mL/L), (3) brassinolide (5 mL/L vs. 10 mL/L), and algae extract (2 mL/L vs. 4 mL/L). The growth and yield measurements of chia, such as chlorophyll, carotenoids, amino acids, indoles, phenols, macro- and micronutrients, carbohydrates, total oil, and fatty acids were analyzed. The chia plants sprayed with growth stimulant materials showed increases in most studied characteristics, particularly algae extract at 4 mL/L, followed by algae extract at 2 mL/L during the first and second seasons. Meanwhile, amino acids at 4 mL/L led to the third-highest increases in most cases. Conversely, all bio-stimulant treatments decreased total phenols in leaves (mg/100 g f.w.), especially seaweed at 4 mL/L, compared to high levels in the control during both seasons. Control plants showed the lowest levels of the measurements mentioned previously when scored by barthenosteriode at 5 mL/L during the first and second seasons. GLC for fixed oil in chia showed the recognition of four biocomponents. i.e., oleic, linoleic, palmitic, and α-α linolenic acids. The main biocomponent was α-α linolenic acid and reach (49.7 to 57.9%). The application of seaweed at 4 mL/L could be exploited to improve growth, seed crop, fixed oil production, chemicals and bio-constituents, especially the fixed oil composition of chia (Salvia hispanica L.) plant.

Borage (Borago officinalis L.) is a yearly herbaceous plant belonging to the Boraginaceae family and known as the bee plant or bee bread. Borage is a significant medicinal plant indigenous to the Mediterranean region and has become widespread in many other countries. A factorial experiment was executed to assess the impact of humic acid and micro nutrients on the growth characteristics, chemical composition, and oil production of borage plants. It was carried out at the Experimental Farm of the Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Moshtohor, Benha University, through the two consecutive growing seasons of 2020/2021 and 2021/2022. This trial comprised 16 treatments which were the outcome of the combination between soil addition with humic acid at 0 (control), 2, 3 and 4 kg/fed, and foliar spray with water (control), Zn, Fe or Mn at 100 ppm for each one. Results indicated that the treatment of humic acid at 4 kg/fed + Fe at 100 ppm was significantly improved the growth characters including number of branches, fresh and dry weight of herb. The treatment of humic acid at 4 kg/fed + Fe at 100 ppm also produced the greatest values of total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and carbohydrate in both seasons. Meanwhile, the treatment of humic acid at 4 kg/fed + Zn at 100 ppm significantly improved the characters including plant height, fresh and dry weights of inflorescences, and seed yield in both seasons. The treatment of humic acid at 4 kg/fed + Zn at 100 ppm gave the highest fixed oil percentage followed by humic acid at 4 kg/fed + Fe at 100 ppm. Exactly 68 compounds were identified and accounted in the components of Borago officinalis fixed-seed oil samples of the second season when analyzed by GC-MS. Where the sample resulted from the treatment of humic acid (4 kg/fed) + Fe (100 ppm) recorded 33 compounds. Conversely, the sample resulted from the control treatment recorded 14 compounds.