Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer
Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 13 No. 4 (2026)

Sustainable growth enhancement of one-year-old Satsuma mandarins saplings using dry yeast suspension and kinetin

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.15774
Submitted
31 May 2026
Published
03-10-2026 — Updated on 13-10-2026
Versions

Abstract

Exogenous application of dry yeast suspension and kinetin is considered one of the sustainable strategies for enhancing vegetative growth, however, the potential synergistic effects of combining these two specific inputs on citrus saplings remain poorly understood. To address this, a study was conducted to evaluate the hypothesis that the co-application of dry yeast and kinetin could optimally enhance the growth and biochemical profile of young Satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc.). The present study was carried out in the lathhouse in College of Agriculture, University of Anbar, Iraq, under subtropical, arid climatic conditions, by using foliar feeding of dry yeast suspension and kinetin. Experimental treatments consisted of two factors: the first one, foliar application of dry yeast suspension with four concentrations, viz., (0, 3, 6 and 9 g L-1); while the second factor included foliar application with kinetin at (0, 50 and 100 mg L-1). A total sample size of 108 sapling were evaluated utilising a randomised complete block design (RCBD). The collected data were statistically analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) via GenStat software to determine significant differences. The findings showed that most growth characteristics and biochemical features significantly increased in a dose dependent manner. Significant increases were observed in traits such as the net increase in the length of main shoots, dry vegetative mass and root development parameters like taproot length, number and length of adventitious roots, root dry mass. Furthermore, chlorophyll and biochemical contents of shoots were enhanced. Among the evaluated treatments, dry yeast suspension at concentration 9 g L-1 and kinetin at concentration 100 mg L-1, achieved the highest efficacy compared to other concentration and the control. Practically, these findings offer a sustainable and efficient approach to enhance vegetative growth and biochemical content of saplings in arid and semi-arid regions.

References

  1. 1. Inoue T, Yoshinaga A, Takabe K, Yoshioka T, Ogawa K, Sakamoto M, et al. In situ detection and identification of hesperidin crystals in Citrus unshiu peel cells. Phytochem Anal. 2014;26:105–10. https://doi.org/10.1002/pca.254
  2. 2. Ikoma Y, Matsumoto H, Kato M. Diversity in the carotenoid profiles and the expression of genes related to carotenoid accumulation among citrus genotypes. Breed Sci. 2016;66:139–47. https://doi.org/10.1270/jsbbs.66.139
  3. 3. Li Z, Jin R, Yang Z, Wang X, You G, Guo J, et al. Comparative study on physicochemical, nutritional and enzymatic properties of two Satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc.) varieties from different regions. J Food Compos Anal. 2021;95:103614. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2020.103614
  4. 4. Miki S, Kiichi Y, Masaki Y, Mai S, Akiyoshi T, Hiroo M, et al. Morphological characteristics, fruit qualities and evaluation of reproductive functions in autotetraploid Satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marcow.). Agronomy. 2021;11(12):2441. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11122441
  5. 5. Oleiwi HQ, Al-Falahy THR. Influence of foliar spray with urea and GA3 on some vegetative growth characteristics of mandarin saplings cv. Clementine. Revista. 2023;8(2):63. https://doi.org/10.21931/RB/CSS/2023.08.04.08
  6. 6. Ladaniya MS. Commercial fresh citrus cultivars and producing countries. In: Ladaniya MS, editor. Citrus Fruit: Biology, Technology and Evaluation. 2nd ed. Amsterdam: Elsevier; 2023. p. 23–91. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-99306-7.00012-8
  7. 7. Samah MY, Ebtsam MM, Abdella OA, Khalid SA, Khadiga AI, Mariam TS. Integrative application of foliar yeast extract and gibberellic acid improves morpho-physiological responses and nutrient uptake of Solidago virgaurea plant in alkaline soil. Life. 2022;12(9):1405. https://doi.org/10.3390/life12091405
  8. 8. Mohamed E, Mohamed E, Mohamed A, Amirah S, Ahmed S, Diaa M, et al. Impact of foliar application using amino acids, yeast extract and algae extract in different concentrations on growth parameters, yield traits, grain quality and nitrogen-related parameters of wheat in arid environments. PeerJ. 2025;13. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19802
  9. 9. Parimala DR, Yamunasri P, Balachandar D, Murugananthi D. Potentials of soil yeasts for plant growth and soil health in agriculture: a review. J Pure Appl Microbiol. 2025;19(1):1–18. https://doi.org/10.22207/JPAM.19.1.10
  10. 10. Muskan M, Kumari K. Effects of glycerol and yeast on the biosynthesis of chlorophyll in mixed algal cultures. Biosci Biotech Res Commun. 2025;18(2). https://doi.org/10.21786/bbrc/18.2.4
  11. 11. Amooaghaie R, Rajaie N. Foliar application of yeast extract mitigates water deficit stress and elicits hypericin and phenolic production in Hypericum perforatum L. Sci Rep. 2025;15:20896. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06013
  12. 12. Ali HA, Aboohanah MA, Abdulhussein MA. Impact of foliar application with dry yeast suspension and amino acid on vegetative growth, yield and quality characteristics of olive (Olea europaea L.) trees. Kufa J Agric Sci. 2019;11(2):33–42.
  13. 13. Hanaa RA. Effect of foliar application with urea, benzyladenine and dry yeast on flowering and fruiting of Minneola Tangelo trees to reduce the severity of alternate bearing phenomena. Middle East J Agric Res. 2020;9(4):893–933. https://doi.org/10.36632/mejar/2020.9.4.70
  14. 14. Abdulkareem AA, Hussien NH. Effect of foliar spray with yeast suspension and foliartal nutrient solution on the mineral content of tissue lime seedlings (Citrus limon L.). IOP Conf Ser Earth Environ Sci. 2022;1060:012056. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1060/1/012056
  15. 15. Domenico P, Aristidis M, Aftab J, Damiano S. Environmental impacts of plant growth regulators in modern agriculture: advances, risks and sustainable perspectives. Agrochemicals. 2026;5(1):14. https://doi.org/10.3390/agrochemicals5010014
  16. 16. Velloso CL, Oliveira JT, Baio FHR, Cunha FF, Oliveira JT. Use of plant growth regulators for sustainable management of vegetation in highway. Eng. 2025;6:350. https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6120350
  17. 17. Dawood MFA, Abu-Elsaoud AM, Sofy MR. Appraisal of kinetin spraying strategy to alleviate the harmful effects of UVC stress on tomato plants. Environ Sci Pollut Res. 2022;29:52378–98. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-19378-6
  18. 18. Wenqi W, Kang D, Xiangyang K, Hairong W. The diverse roles of cytokinins in regulating leaf development. Hortic Res. 2021;8:118. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41438-021-00558-3
  19. 19. Martin H, Lucie P, Alexandra H, Jaroslav N, Karel D. Role of cytokinins in senescence, antioxidant defence and photosynthesis. Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19(12):4045. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19124045
  20. 20. Tarek AM, Manal AM, Mahmoud AK. Effect of spraying some growth regulators on the vegetative growth of Cleopatra mandarin seedlings. Egypt J Agric Res. 2023;101(1):236–43. https://doi.org/10.21608/ejar.2023.193904.1351
  21. 21. Ahmad ID. Impact of foliar application of kinetin and seaweed extract on some vegetative growth and physiological status of olive (Olea europaea L. cv. Sourani) saplings. Int J Agric Food Sci. 2026;8(2):473–79. https://doi.org/10.33545/2664844X.2026.v8.i2f.1221
  22. 22. Abou El-Yazied A, Mady MA. Effect of naphthalene acetic acid and yeast extract on growth and productivity of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) plants. Res J Agric Biol Sci. 2011;7(2):271–81.
  23. 23. Abeer M, Abdel-Mohsen MA, Ibrahim MA, Mostafa AS. Effect of some stimulative substances on growth of two citrus rootstocks. J Hortic Sci Ornam Plants. 2014;6(2):90–99.
  24. 24. Arnon DI. Copper enzymes in isolated chloroplasts. Polyphenoloxidase in Beta vulgaris. Plant Physiol. 1949;24(1):1–15.
  25. 25. Dubois M, Gilles KA, Hamilton JK, Rebers PA, Smith F. Colorimetric method for determination of sugars and related substances. Anal Chem. 1956;28(3):350–56.
  26. 26. Bahargava BS, Raghupathi HB. Analysis of plant material for macro and micro-nutrients. In: Tandon HLS, editor. Methods of Analysis of Soils, Plants, Water and Fertilizers. New Delhi: Binng Printers; 1999. p. 49–82.
  27. 27. Payne RW. An introduction to statistical methods in GenStat. Hemel Hempstead: VSN International; 2011.
  28. 28. Csambalik L, Tóbiás A. Application of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for nutritional value enhancement in agricultural plants – a review. Acta Biol Szeged. 2018;62(2):146–57. https://doi.org/10.14232/abs.2018.2.146-157
  29. 29. Taghreed AH, Al-Falahy THR. Improving vegetative growth and mineral content of mandarin saplings (Citrus reticulata Blanco) cv. Clementine through foliar spray of ascorbic acid and putrescine. IOP Conf Ser Earth Environ Sci. 2024;1371(4):042057. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1371/4/042057
  30. 30. Bender DA. Amino Acid Metabolism. 3rd ed. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons; 2012.
  31. 31. Kowalczyk A, Relony R, T. Effect of Aminoplant and Asahi on yield and quality of lettuce grown on rockwool. In: Gawrońska H, editor. Biostimulators in Modern Agriculture: General Aspects. Warszawa: Wieś Jutra; 2008. p. 89.
  32. 32. Taiz L, Zeiger E. Plant Physiology. 5th ed. Sunderland, MA: Sinauer Associates; 2010.
  33. 33. Smith S, De Smet I. Root system architecture: insights from Arabidopsis and cereal crops. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2012;367(1595):1441–52. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2011.0234
  34. 34. Taghreed AH, Al-Falahy THR. Impact of exogenous ascorbic acid and putrescine on vegetative, root system morphology and chemical composition of clementine mandarin saplings. Plant Sci Today. 2024;11(3):527–34. https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.4075
  35. 35. Hardeep S, Khezri M, Bushoven J, Benes S, Hadavi BF, Brar G. Carbohydrate partitioning and vegetative growth of citrus nursery trees influenced by varying photoperiods under LED lighting. J Jpn Soc Hortic Sci. 2022;4(6):18–26.
  36. 36. Al-Rubaie SMK. The effect of spraying with a suspension of active dry yeast and licorice root extract on some growth, vegetative and root characteristics of Citrus aurantium L. seedlings. Euphrates J Agric Sci. 2014;6(2):338–52.
  37. 37. Nabil SM, Ibrahim AM, Hanaa RA, Mohamed F, Moustafa YAT, Nagwa SZ. The promotive effects of some natural extracts (algal, yeast and vermiwash) on vegetative characteristics and nutrients status of citrus lemon (Citrus aurantifolia) seedlings. Net J Agric Sci. 2019;7(2):43–49. https://doi.org/10.30918/NJAS.72.19.017
  38. 38. El-Sayed FS. Effect of some growth regulators and dry yeast on growth of Cleopatra mandarin rootstock seedlings. Middle East J Agric Res. 2018;7(4):1301–09.
  39. 39. Mohammed JH, Al-Falahy THR. Enhancing 'Barhee' date palm productivity and fruit characteristics using fruit thinning and exogenous treatment with CPPU. Plant Sci Today. 2026;13(1):1–7. https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.12201

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.