A Master’s Thesis Submitted to the College of Agriculture Examines the Effects of Phosphorus and Perlite Application, Along with Aspirin Foliar Spraying, on the Growth of Barley Plants.

The College of Agriculture at the University of Diyala has discussed a Master’s thesis entitled “The Effect of Phosphorus and Perlite Application and Aspirin Foliar Spraying on the Growth of Barley Plants.”

The study, conducted by postgraduate student Duha Abdullah Mahmoud, aimed to investigate the effects of phosphorus application to the soil on the availability of certain essential nutrients and their uptake by plants, as well as the subsequent implications for the morphological and physiological characteristics of barley. It also sought to evaluate the role of perlite in improving soil properties and enhancing nutrient availability, and to examine the resulting effects on plant growth. Furthermore, the study investigated the effects of foliar application of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) on the morphological and physiological characteristics of barley, with particular emphasis on its efficacy in enhancing growth performance and improving the plant’s tolerance to soil salinity.

The study recommended applying phosphorus at a rate of 5 g kg⁻¹ of soil when cultivating barley under saline conditions comparable to those examined in the study, given its demonstrated positive effects on plant growth, yield, and nutritional status. It also recommended the application of perlite at a rate of 25 g kg⁻¹ of soil to improve the root-zone environment and enhance the plant’s efficiency in utilising water and essential nutrients. Moreover, the study highlighted the importance of integrating phosphorus, perlite, and aspirin applications into comprehensive soil-management strategies for salt-affected soils, rather than relying on any single treatment in isolation.

The study aligns with the second Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 2): Zero Hunger.

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