Foliar applicaton of asparagine and casein on biochemical and morphological attributes of garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) plants under greenhouse conditions

In this study, the effect of foliar application of Asparagine (ASN) and Casein (CSN) during the vegetative stage at four rates (0, 50, 100 and 150 mg l -1 ) was investigated on garden cress ( Lepidium sativum L.). The results showed that asparagine application, especially at a high level, could significantly increase the morpho-physiological traits such as plant height, leaf and stem fresh weights and leaf and stem dry weights, leaf pigments (chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b) and leaf nutrients content (Nitrogen and Phosphorus). Also, the results indicated that  casein  application at 50 mg l -1 rate had the best performance through in stem and root fresh weights, stem dry weight and diameter of main stem traits . Casein  application at rate 100 mg l -1 had the highest leaf nitrogen and phosphorus content. Generally, our findings suggest that the use of asparagine and casein can be considered as an appropriate growth regulator in garden cress cultivation.