Abstract

The application of molecular markers in agricultural growth characteristics is an important factor, which is highly worthy of attention. This investigation was conducted during growing season of 2018-19 at private nursery in Iraq to assess the effects of nanotechnology-manufactured organic (marine alga extracts) and chemical fertilisers (potassium and phosphor) on the growth aspects of mulberry transplant. The experiment comprised of mulberry transplants that were subjected to nano marine alga extracts having concentrations of 0.5 and 1 mL/L, nano-potassium having concentrations of 1 and 2 g/L and nano phosphor having concentration 1 and 2 g/L. Furthermore, the control treatment comprised no spraying, instead, they were treated twice with a foliar spray. The vegetative growth aspects and gene expression determination of the maACO1 gene applicable for 1-aminocyclopropane-1 carboxylate was included with ma Actin as a housekeeping gene. The observations indicated that the use of nano Marine Alga in combination with the control treatment enhanced a majority of the growth aspects (number of leaves, leaf area, leaf dry matter, chlorophyll, plant length and diameter). Gene expression analysis indicated high expression of maACO1 gene in all the mulberry transplants that were treated with nano-potassium, nano-phosphor, while treatment using nano Marine Alga at 1 mL/L led to the lowest gene expression. Furthermore, organic fertilizer content affected growth aspects, gene expression level, and nutrient-use efficiency. The overall results suggested that the specific gene expression is diagnostic for use of nanotechnology-manufactured organic and chemical fertilizers and may therefore have useful applications in defining the differences between fertilizers grown mulberry.