Biofertilization and Organic Extracts Enhance Vegetative Growth and Yield of Kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica) – Implications for Sustainable Production of High Value Leafy Greens for the Food Industry

MANEA, A.I.; AL-GUBOURI, M.N.; AL-MUSSAWI, Z.K.

doi:10.48311/fsct.2026.122299.83336

Biofertilization and Organic Extracts Enhance Vegetative Growth and Yield of Kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica) – Implications for Sustainable Production of High Value Leafy Greens for the Food Industry

نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی

نویسندگان

A.I. MANEA

M.N. AL-GUBOURI

Z.K. AL-MUSSAWI

Al-Qasim Green University, College of Agriculture, Iraq

10.48311/fsct.2026.122299.83336

چکیده

Kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica) is a nutrient dense leafy green vegetable with growing commercial value for fresh and processed food markets, owing to its high content of vitamins (A, C, K), minerals (calcium, iron), fibre, and bioactive phenolic compounds. A field experiment was conducted at the Abu Al Fadl Forest Nursery Station, Al Diwaniyah, Iraq, to investigate the effects of biofertilization and organic extracts on vegetative growth and yield traits of kale. The experiment included two factors: Factor 1 – biofertilizers (control, yeast extract 5 g L⁻¹, Folozyme 2 g L⁻¹, Biohealth 2 g L⁻¹); Factor 2 – organic extracts (control, urea 5 g L⁻¹, amino acids 5 mL L⁻¹, humic acid 7 mL L⁻¹, seaweed extract 5 mL L⁻¹). Results showed that Folozyme significantly improved leaf number (21.77), plant height (27.57 cm), chlorophyll content (74.0 SPAD), leaf dimensions, and total yield (34.63 ton ha⁻¹). Urea application enhanced single plant yield (0.8533 kg) and total yield (34.13 ton ha⁻¹). The interaction of Biohealth + seaweed gave the tallest plants (30.58 cm), while yeast extract + seaweed maximised leaf area (4200 cm² plant⁻¹). The treatment Folozyme + amino acids produced the longest leaves (36.70 cm), and Folozyme + urea gave the widest leaves (15.20 cm). These findings demonstrate that integrated biofertilizer and organic extract applications can substantially enhance kale productivity, offering a sustainable, low input approach to produce high quality raw materials for the food industry.

کلیدواژه‌ها

Kale

biofertilizer

organic extracts

vegetative growth

yield

food industry

sustainable production functional food leafy greens

موضوعات

مهندسی صنایع غذایی

[1] Di Noia, J. (2014). Defining powerhouse fruits and vegetables: A nutrient density approach. Preventing Chronic Disease, 11, E95.

[2] Gunnars, K. (2018). 10 health benefits of kale. Healthline. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-kale

[3] Kamchan, A., Puwastien, P., Sirichakwal, P.P., & Kongkachuichai, R. (2004). In vitro calcium bioavailability of vegetables, legumes and seeds. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 17, 311–320.

[4] Działo, M., Mierziak, J., Korzun, U., Preisner, M., Szopa, J., & Kulma, A. (2016). The potential of plant phenolics in prevention and therapy of skin disorders. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 17(2), 160.

[5] Gurkan, A.G., & Gunesh. (2020). Organic Living Healthy Living. Nile Arab Group for Publishing, Cairo, Egypt.

[6] Sunita, G.S., & Gaur, A.C. (2004). Evaluation of fly ash as a carrier for diazotrophs and phosphobacteria. Bioresource Technology, 11(36), 187–190.

[7] Ali, M.A. (2012). The role of biofertilizers in improving soil fertility and plant growth. Journal of Agricultural Research, 47(2), 189–198.

[8] Taha, A.M. (2007). Biofertilizers and Organic Agriculture (Healthy Food and a Clean Environment). Dar Al‑Fikr Al‑Arabi, Cairo, Egypt.

[9] Matile, P. (1978). Biochemistry and function of vacuoles. Annual Review of Plant Physiology, 29, 193–213.

[10] Eata, A.M.H., Elsayed, A.E., Abd El‑Naby, H.M., Gamilly, S.I., & Salem, E.M.M. (2001). Response of some tomato cultivars to natural soil salinity and use of some treatments to reduce salt injury. Ph.D. thesis, Mansoura University, Egypt.

[11] Ali, M.A. (2022). Effects of biofertilizers on plant nutrient uptake and growth regulation. Plant Physiology Journal, 35(1), 45–53.

[12] O'Dell, T. (2003). Role of organic extracts in reducing oxidative stress in plants. Plant Science, 164(4), 731–738.

[13] Jensen, R.G. (2004). Plant growth regulators and their effect on photosynthesis. Photosynthesis Research, 82(3), 123–132.

[14] Ali, S., Hassan, A., & Jaralla, M. (2022). Impact of organic extracts on vegetative growth of kale. Egyptian Journal of Agronomy, 44(3), 112–120.

[15] Abd AL‑Hseen, Z.E., & Manea, A.I. (2020). Effect of bio fertilizer and extracts in two hybrids of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis). International Journal of Agricultural and Statistical Sciences, 16(Supplement 1), 1651–1659.

[16] Ali, S.S., Manea, A.I., & Kshash, B. (2022). Effect of foliar application with potassium sulphate and organic fertilizer on growth parameters and yield of Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea L. var. gemmifera Zenk). IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1060, 012048.

[17] Genstat. (2012). Release 4.23DE. Lawes Agricultural Trust, Rothamsted Experimental Station, UK.

[18] Al‑Sahoki, M.M., & Karima, W. (1990). Applications in the Design and Analysis of Experiments. Dar Al‑Hikma for Printing and Publishing, Mosul, Iraq.

[19] Bhat, T.A., Ahmad, L., Ganai, M.A., Ul‑Haq, S., & Khan, O.A. (2015). Nitrogen fixing biofertilizers, mechanism, and growth promotion: A review. Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology, 9(2), 1675–1690.

[20] Hassan, M. (2011). Biofertilizer effects on growth and yield of leafy vegetables. Journal of Plant Nutrition, 34(5), 621–628.

[21] Gebre, A., Fisseha, M., & Tekle, H. (2017). The role of biofertilizers in kale production. Agricultural Science, 8(9), 732–740.

[22] Sat, P., Kumar, R., & Singh, D. (2017). Impact of biofertilizer on kale production under field conditions. Vegetable Science Journal, 44(1), 21–28.

[23] Howeidi, M.A., Manea, A.I., & Slomy, A.K. (2023). Effect of bio‑fertilizer and banana peel extract on the vegetative traits and yield of carrot plants. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1158, 042035.

[24] Gad, N., & Kandil, H. (2003). Evaluate the effect of molybdenum and different nitrogen levels on cowpea (Vigna unguiculata). Journal of Applied Sciences Research, 9(3), 1490–1497.

[25] Gad, H.A., & Kandil, H. (2013). Influence of organic fertilizers on soil microbial populations and crop yield. Soil Biology Journal, 28(3), 205–212.

[26] Kumar, S., & Singh, R. (2018). Effect of poultry manure combined with biofertilizer on growth and yield of vegetables. International Journal of Agricultural Research, 13(2), 87–95.

[27] Adeyeye, A.S., Ishaku, M.A., Gadu, H.O., Olalekan, K., & Lamid, W.A. (2017). Comparative effect of organic and inorganic fertilizer treatments on the growth and yield of onion (Allium cepa L.). Journal of Botanical Sciences, 6(2), 8–11.

[28] Kumar, S., Rana, D.K., Shah, K.N., & Singh, V. (2018). Response of onion (Allium cepa L.) cv. Pusa Red to various organic manures under subtropical condition of Garhwal Himalaya. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 7(1), 2294–2297.

[29] Sat, L., Chaikachang, C.L., & Suwannarat, Y. (2017). Efficiency of biogas effluent from durian shells and seeds combined with chicken manure on soil chemical properties, growth and nutrient concentrations of Chinese kale (Brassica oleracea). International Journal of Agricultural Technology, 13(7.3), 2651–2660.

[30] Hassan, A., & Abdel, M. (2011). The Origins of Organic Agriculture, Its Money and What It Owes. Arab House for Publishing and Distribution, Cairo, Egypt.

[31] Ali, N.S.N. (2012). Fertilizer Technologies and Their Uses. Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, University of Baghdad, Iraq.

[32] Howeidi, M.A., Abdelaziz, M., & El‑Gamal, H. (2023). Organic extracts and their effect on plant growth under drought conditions. Journal of Plant Stress Physiology, 55(2), 99–108.

[33] Ali, S., Hassan, A., & Jaralla, M. (2022). Impact of organic extracts on vegetative growth of kale. Egyptian Journal of Agronomy, 44(3), 112–120.

[34] Ali, M.A. (2022). Effects of biofertilizers on plant nutrient uptake and growth regulation. Plant Physiology Journal, 35(1), 45–53.

[35] Ali, S.S., Manea, A.I., & Kshash, B. (2022). Effect of foliar application with potassium sulphate and organic fertilizer on growth parameters and yield of Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea L. var. gemmifera Zenk). IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1060, 012048.

[36] Howeidi, M.A., Manea, A.I., & Slomy, A.K. (2023). Effect of bio‑fertilizer and banana peel extract on the vegetative traits and yield of carrot plants. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1158, 042035.

[37] Adeyeye, A.S., Ishaku, M.A., Gadu, H.O., Olalekan, K., & Lamid, W.A. (2017). Comparative effect of organic and inorganic fertilizer treatments on the growth and yield of onion (Allium cepa L.). Journal of Botanical Sciences, 6(2), 8–11.