From the wild to the field: effect of foliar or soil application of inorganic or semi-organic fertilizers on various parameters of four local endemic plant species of Crete (Greece)

Abstract Domestication of wild plant species interest coupled with introduction pilot cultivation practices and appropriate fertilization schemes could be an efficient alternative for addressing sustainable exploitation needs threatened and/or declining phytogenetic resources. In this field study focusing on four wild-growing plants ( Carlina diae , Origanum dictamnus microphyllum Sideritis syriaca subsp. ) confined to Crete (local endemics), the effects three types (inorganic, plain semi-organic or co-applied commercial biostimulants based edible raw materials) by two methods (foliar/soil application) plants’ growth were investigated. Specifically, parameters such as aboveground biomass yield, content uptake nutrients well arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi root colonization evaluated. Results revealed a distinction in multi-elemental stoichiometry, except case species, which variance their ionomics showed significant overlap. The elements most closely related yield K Zn, while Pearson tests various correlations between studied essential nutrients. Among them, positive B Ca, Mg (with r value up 0.9 at p ≤ 0.001, all O. ); negative (in S. Syriaca = − 0.5 0.001); correlation patterns Fe Mn, Cu respectively species) observed. Biostimulant application alone combination fertilizers increased C. (up 161%) 70% 68% respectively), inorganic was beneficial 170% increase) 79% increase). However, no solid conclusions derived respect preference any fertilizers' method (foliar soil).