Enhancing seed quality and productivity as well as physio-anatomical responses of pea plants by folic acid and/or hydrogen peroxide application

Two field experiments were carried out at Agricultural Botany Department Experimental Farm, Mansoura University during 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 seasons to assess the role of pre-sowing seed soaking in hydrogen peroxide (0, 2 and 4%) and/or foliar application of folic acid (0, 10 and 20 mg/I) individually and/or in combination on growth, yield, some biochemical constituents and anatomical characters of pea plant (Pisum sativum, L. cv Master-B.). The results indicated that foliar spraying with either folic acid concentrations under control or hydrogen peroxide significantly increased growth parameter, photosynthetic pigment concentration, yield and its components as well as its quality, in special, folic acid concentration of pea seed compared with the control plants. Additionally, application of hydrogen peroxide or folic acid as well as their interactions, improved all anatomical characteristics especially vascular bundle dimension and photosynthetic tissue thickness relative to untreated control plants. It could be recommended that pre-sowing seed soaking in 2% hydrogen peroxide plus foliar application of 20 mg/I folic acid can be used to induce the plant growth, yield and seed quality of pea plants.