Table 3 Pearson’s correlation matrix between growth indices (shoot height, radicle length, seedling length, seedling fresh weight (FW) and seedling dry weight (DW)) and some biochemical parameters (protein, carbohydrates, TFAA (total free amino acids), amylase, protease, flavonoids, phenolics and shikimic acid)

Shoot height

1

0.235

0.965^a

0.736^a

0.785^a

0.788^a

0.933^a

0.716^a

0.815^a

0.799^a

0.921^a

0.680^a

0.748^a

Radicle length

1

0.444

0.239

0.357

0.213

0.175

0.219

0.142

0.361

0.193

0.314

−0.033

Seedling length

1

0.673^a

0.792^a

0.763^a

0.887^a

0.680^a

0.771^a

0.807^a

0.878^a

0.688^a

0.657^a

Seedling FW

1

0.661^a

0.597^a

0.690^a

0.651^a

0.578^b

0.684^a

0.709^a

0.621^a

0.552^b

Seedling DW

1

0.856^a

0.825^a

0.766^a

0.875^a

0.973^a

0.869^a

0.593^a

0.509^b

Protein

1

0.873^a

0.532^b

0.918^a

0.863^a

0.815^a

0.673^a

0.481^b

Carbohydrates

1

0.757^a

0.908^a

0.800^a

0.944^a

0.691^a

0.809^a

TFAA

1

0.631^a

0.728^a

0.824^a

0.579^b

0.820^a

Amylase

1

0.843^a

0.906^a

0.44

0.649^a

Protease

1

0.880^a

0.628^a

0.483^b

Flavonoids

1

0.571^b

0.820^a

Phenolics

1

0.424

Shikimic acid

1