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Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences
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KEYWORDS
Application protocol
Seaweed extract
Kappaphycus alvarezii
Vegetable crops
Yield and quality
ABSTRACT
The field study was conducted to develop a protocol for application of commercially manufactured bio-
stimulant (Brand name: AquaSap) from seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii. Efficacy of the bio-stimulant
was tested at 5% through foliar application in selected important vegetable crops. 3 to 4 applications
were applied based on the crop cycle of the plant. Total 27 vegetable crops were studied during 2012 to
2015 and observed their response towards bio-stimulant applied in terms of general health of the plant,
growth, yield and quality of the vegetable produce. 11% to 52% of yield increases were observed with
improved quality in all 27 crops studied. Therefore seaweed bio-stimulants will have enormous
potential to organic vegetable production in future.
Kosalaraman Karthikeyan and Munisamy Shanmugam*
Research and Development Division, AquAgri Processing Private Limited, B5, SIPCOT Industrial Complex, Manamadurai - 630 606. Sivaganga District, Tamil
Nadu, INDIA
Received – January 12, 2016; Revision – January 27, 2016; Accepted – February 20, 2016
Available Online – February 20, 2016
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18006/2016.4(1).92.102
DEVELOPMENT OF A PROTOCOL FOR THE APPLICATION OF COMMERCIAL
BIO-STIMULANT MANUFACTURED FROM Kappaphycus alvarezii IN SELECTED
VEGETABLE CROPS
E-mail: m.shanmugam@aquagri.in (Muniyasamy Shanmugam)
Peer review under responsibility of Journal of Experimental Biology and
Agricultural Sciences.
* Corresponding author
Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences, February - 2016; Volume – 4(1)
Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences
http://www.jebas.org
ISSN No. 2320 – 8694
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All rights reserved.
All the article published by Journal of Experimental
Biology and Agricultural Sciences is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0
International License Based on a work at www.jebas.org.
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Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences
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1 Introduction
Seaweed personifies not only as an alternative to conventional
chemical fertilizers but also chronically used in agriculture,
horticulture, cookies, ice-cream and jelly mix (Sumkiman et
al., 2014). Further, it was well reported that seaweed extract
contain nutrient of major and minor element, vital amino acid,
essential vitamins and plant growth regulators which stimulate
the growth and quality yield of crops. Application of seaweed
liquid extract stimulate different aspects of plant like good
health, development of root system, absorption of mineral,
enlargement of shoot, increased rate of photosynthesis and
crop yield (Sridhar & Rengasamy, 2010). Seaweed liquid
extract have newly gained importance as foliar spray for lots of
crops including various variety of grasses, flowers, cereals,
vegetables and spices (Pramanick et al. 2013 & 2014).
Further, Zodape (2001) tried various modes of seaweed extract
application such as a foliar spray, application to soil and
soaking of seeds before sowing and reported that extract not
only enhances the germination of seeds but also increases
uptake of plant nutrients and gives resistance to frost and
fungal diseases.
The aqueous extracts of the alga Codium fragile was effective
in increasing root length and it is 18.0% longer than the control
in soybeans (Anisimov & Chaikina, 2014). Furthermore, Pise
& Sabale (2010) treated fenugreek with 50% of seaweed and
reported improvement in the concentration of carbohydrate,
proteins, free amino acids, polyphenols and nitrogen content
while comparing with control plants. Similarly, yield and
nutrient content value were found higher in banana when
treated with 5% of bio-stimulant (AQUASAP) of
Kappaphycus alvarezii (Karthikeyan & Shanmugam, 2014).
Vegetables are herbaceous plants and produce large amount of
biomass within short period (Chatterjee & Thirumdasu, 2014).
Vegetables are very essential to human health as they are rich
in dietary fibre and source of essential vitamins, minerals, trace
elements, vitamins and antioxidants.
In India, vegetable production was around 146.55 million tons
from an area of 8.5 million hectare during 2010-2011. The 4
major vegetables viz. potato (28.9%), tomato (11.3%), onion
(10.3%) and brinjal (8.1%) contribute 58.6% of total vegetable
production. Other important vegetables are cabbage (5.4%),
cauliflower (4.6%), okra (3.9%), peas (2.4%) and okra
contribute 73% of total world production (Vanitha et al.,
2013). The bio-stimulant manure from red seaweed K.
alvarezii is well-off in potash with other primary nutrients like
N, P, K and secondary nutrients like Cu, Zn, Fe, Mo, Mn, etc.,
in addition and to significant amount of plant growth
regulators (Zodape et al., 2009; Prasad et al., 2010;
Karthikeyan & Shanmugam, 2014). The present investigation
describes the dosage and application protocol of bio-stimulant
manufactured from K. alvarezii (AQUASAP is brand name of
AquAgri) on some selected 27 vegetables crops for yield and
quality improvement.
2 Materials and Methods
The trial was carried out at R&D plot of AquAgri Processing
Private Limited and in the farmers’ field in Manamadurai,
Sivagangai Dt., Tamil Nadu, India. (Latitude is 9º42´56´´N
and longitude 78º28´2´´E). The annual normal rainfall
received by the district is 850 mm. The experiment trial was
conducted in 8 plots with 6 m x 4m for each vegetable crop
studied. The healthy seeds were selected and sowed carefully
into the field and the trial crops were irrigated periodically and
chemical fertilizers were applied to crops as per the
recommendation of National Horticulture Board, India. Bio-
stimulant (Aquasap) was collected from the stock of AquAgri
Processing Private Limited and 5% solution was prepared and
used.
2.1 Application protocol of bio-stimulant Aquasap for
vegetable crops
Bio-stimulant (Brand name: AquaSap) manufactured from K.
alvarezii was applied to the crops tested in the present
investigation through foliar application. Three doses viz.
vegetative, pre-flowering and post flowering stages were given
to short-term plants whereas four doses were applied to long-
term crops. Table 2-6 shows the application protocol for 27
crops tested in this study. The physico-chemical and nutritive
value of the bio-stimulant (AquaSap) has been given in table 1.
2.1.1 Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)
The trial on tomato (Co3 hybrid) was conducted in June 2012
(Table 2.) The seeds were sowed in nursery beds, then nursery
plants were collected after 25th day of sowing and their roots
were dipped at 0.7% of bio-stimulant Aquasap for 10min
before transplantation. The first spray was given on 10th day of
transplantation, second and third doses were sprayed on 25-30d
(pre-flowering stage) and on 45-50d (flowering stage)
respectively and last dose was applied at first picking stage
(Table 3).
2.1.2 Lady’s finger (Okra) (Abelmoschus esculentus
(L) Moench) and Brinjal (Solanum melongeana L.)
The experiment of lady’s finger (var. US 7902) and brinjal Co2
hybrid was also conducted in 2012 (Table 2). The okra seeds
were soaked in 1% of bio-stimulant for 10 min. and the soaked
seeds were sowed into the field directly. Treated seeds were
also sowed in nursery beds and nursery plants (35d old) were
collected, treated their roots with 0.7% of bio-stimulant for 10
min before transplantation. The application of bio-stimulant
through foliar was given at the vegetative stage (15-20d),
second spray at flowering stage (35-40d) and final spray was at
first fruits picking stage (50-55d) (Table 3).
93 Karthikeyan and Shanmugam
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Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences
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Table 1 Physico-chemical properties and Nutritive status of Aquasap bio-stimulant from seaweed K. alvarezii.
Parameters
Units
Results
Parameters
Units
Results
Physical properties of AquaSap
Nutritive Value (Amino Acid )
Alanine
g/100g
0.014
Organic Matter (%)
gm/100g
0.65
Arginine
g/100g
0.0003
Specific Gravity
-
1.14
Aspartic acid
g/100g
0.0019
Electrical Conductivity
dSm-1
63.3
Cystine
g/100g
0.0017
pH (1% solution)
-
6.68
Glycine
g/100g
0.065
Moisture content (%)
gm/100g
94.82
Histidine
g/100g
0.0007
Total Ash (%)
gm/100g
4.53
Isoleucine
g/100g
0.0022
Macro and Micro Nutrient contents AquaSap
Leucine
g/100g
0.0022
Lysine
g/100g
0.019
Parameters
Units
Results
Tryptophan
g/100g
0.007
Nitrogen (N)
gm/100g
0.007
Methionine
g/100g
0.0007
Phosphorous (P)
mg/kg
3.57
Phenylalanine
g/100g
0.0028
Potash (K)
gm/100g
1.50
Proline
g/100g
0.053
Sodium (Na)
gm/100g
0.26
Serine
g/100g
0.0013
Calcium (Ca)
gm/100g
0.03
Threonine
g/100g
0.0006
Silica (Si)
gm/100g
0.02
Tyrosine
g/100g
0.0016
Chlorine (Cl)
gm/100g
2.15
Valine
g/100g
0.0026
Magnesium (Mg)
mg/kg
0.04
Glutamic acid
g/100g
0.0022
Iron (Fe)
gm/100g
16.95
Nutritive Value (Vitamins)
Sulphur (S)
gm/100g
0.03
Vitamin - A
IU/100g
3363.44
Boron as (B)
mg/kg
768
Vitamin – E
IU/100g
0.21
Copper (Cu)
mg/kg
1.1
Vitamin – C
mg/100g
22.52
Zinc (Zn)
mg/kg
2.15
Vitamin – B1
mg/100g
0.007
Manganese (Mn)
mg/kg
5.93
Vitamin –B5
mg/100g
301.1
Cobalt (Co)
mg/kg
0.92
Vitamin – B6
mg/100g
3170.2
2.1.3 Chillies (Capsicum annuum L. Var. annuum)
Hybrid chilli (US 612) was selected for present study and its
seeds were sowed directly into field. The seaweed bio-
stimulant was applied at vegetative stage (40-45d), at
flowering stage (90-100d) and last dose was given at first fruits
picking stage (125-130d). In the case of transplanted plant,
nurseries were created (40d old) and treated their roots at 0.7%
of bio-stimulant for 10min before transplantation. During
growing period, first dose of bio-stimulant was given at 20-25th
day of transplantation and second and last applications were
given at 60-65th day (i.e. flowering stage) and at 80-85th day of
transplantation (Table 3) respectively.
2.1.4 Capsicum (Capsicum annuum L)
Trial on capsicum (var. Arka Mohini) was carried out in
January 2014 (Table 2). The bio-stimulant AquaSap was
applied at vegetative (30-35d), flowering stage (60-65d) and
fruits picking stage (90-95d). But in the case of transplants
raised from 40d old nurseries whose roots were treated with
0.7% of bio-stimulant for 10min before transplantation, first
dose was given at 20-25d (vegetative stage), 60-65d (flowering
stage) and at 80-85d (first fruits picking stage) day of
transplantation (Table 3).
2.1.5 Variety of Gourds
The experimental study on nine varieties of gourds, i.e., Ash
gourd (var. MAH-1), Pumpkin (Arka Chandan), Snake gourd
(Covai -951), Ridge gourd (US 66), Bottle gourd (WARAD
MGH-4), Bitter gourd (US 475), Cucumber (local variety),
Watermelon (Ankur Kashish) and Chow chow (Green Fruits)
(Table 2) was conducted during 2012 to 2014. The seeds were
soaked in 1% of bio-stimulant for 30 min. and the seeds were
sowed in the study field. The application of bio-stimulant was
given at vegetative stage (20-25d), flowering stage (60-65d)
and first fruits picking stage (80-85d). In the case of chow
chow, mature fruits were planted in the field, and bio-stimulant
was first applied at vegetative phase of 25-30 days of
plantation, pre-flowering phase (3rd month) and final dose was
given at flowering phase (5th month) (Table 3). In the
cucumber, first spray was done at germination phase (10-15th
day), followed by second spray at 35-40th day (vegetative
stage) and final dose was applied at flowering initiation stage
(65-70d) (Table 4).
Development of a protocol for the application of commercial bio-stimulant manufactured from Kappaphycus alvarezii in selected vegetable crops. 94
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Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences
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2.1.6 Cole crops, Root and Tuber vegetables
2.1.6.1 Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)
The potato (var. Kufri Jyoti) trial was conducted in August
2013 (Table 2). Bio-stimulant AquaSap was applied at plant
establishment stage (20-25d) vegetative phase (50-55d), early
root development stage (80-85d) and last dosage was given at
maturity stage (100-105d) (Table 5).
2.1.6.2 Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L)
Maharani- F1, a hybrid variety of cabbage was taken for trial
in January 2013 (Table 2). 40 days old nursery plant was
created and root treatment was given at 0.7% of bio-stimulant
for 10min before transplantation. Field application of bio-
stimulant was applied at plant establishment stage (10-15d),
second dose was sprayed at head initiation stage (35- 40d) and
last spray was sprayed at head development phase (70-75d)
(Table 5).
2.1.6.3 Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis)
In January 2013, cauliflower (var. Shobha F1) was taken for
trial (Table 2). The root of nursery plants (35d) raised was
treated with 0.7% of bio-stimulant for 10min and transplanted.
During crop cycle, first spray of bio-stimulant aquasap was
given at plant establishment stage (10-15d), the second dose at
curd initiation stage (25-30d) and last dose was given at curd
development stage (45-50d) (Table 5).
2.1.6.4 Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L) and Carrot (Daucus
carota L)
The studies on beetroot (Vally Queen) as well as carrot (Pusa
Kesar) were conducted in 2013 and bio-stimulant Aquasap was
applied at vegetative stage (25-30d), early root development
stage (55- 60d) and root maturity stage (80 -85d) (Table 5).
2.1.6.5 Radish (Raphanus sativus L) and Knol-Khol (Brassica
caulorapa)
Radish (Roshni) and knol-khol (Early White) trial was
undertaken in January 2013. The bio-stimulant was given at
10-15th (vegetative stage), 25-30th (early root development
stage) and at 40 - 45th day of sowing (root maturity stage)
(Table 5).
2.1.7 Other vegetable crops
2.1.7.1 Lima Bean (Phaseolus lunatus L) and Dolichos Bean
(Lab lab purpureus var. typicus)
The experiment on Lima (Co2) and Dolichos (Ankur Goldy)
beans were conducted during 2012. The seeds were soaked in
1% of bio-stimulant for 10min then sowed into the field.
During crop period, three spray of bio-stimulant were given
viz. at vegetative phase (20-25d), flowering stage (40-45d),
pod formation stage (60-65d) and last spray was given at first
picking stage (80-85th day of sowing) (Table 6).
2.1.7.2 Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Marr.)
The experiment on soybean (JSS 355) was conducted in July,
2012. The seeds were soaked in 1% of bio-stimulant for
10min and then the seeds were carefully sowed in the field.
The crop was applied with bio-stimulant Aquasap for four
times viz. at 20-25d, 40-45d, 60-65d and at 80-85th day of
sowing (Table 6).
2.1.7.3 Moringa (Moringa oleifera L.)
The efficacy trial of AquaSap on drumstick (PKM-1) was
conducted in 2012 (Table 2). The seeds were soaked in 1% of
bio-stimulant for 10min and during crop period bio-stimulant
aquasap was applied at nurseries stage (25-30th), pre-flowering
phase (3rd month), flowering phase (4th month), and at fruits
development stage (5th month of plantation) (Table 6).
2.1.7.4 Small Onion (Allium cepa var. aggregatum)
Trial on small onion (var. Co-ON-5) was conducted in June
2013. The seaweed bio-stimulant at 5% was sprayed as foliar
application at establishment stage (10-15d), vegetative stage
(25-30d), bulb formation stage (40-45d) and bulb development
stage (60-65d) as shown in Table 6.
2.1.7.5 Bellary Onion (Allium cepa var. cepa)
Effect of bio-stimulant AquaSap on Bellary onion (var. Prema-
178) was studied in June 2013. The application of 5% bio-
stimulant was given on 10-15th (sowing establishment stage),
35-40th (vegetative stage), 60-65th (bulb formation stage) 75-
80th (bulb development stage) day of sowing (Table 6).
3 Results and Discussion
All vegetable crops investigated in the present study responded
well at 5% dose of bio-stimulant Aquasap (from seaweed of
K. alvarezii). Highest yield was found in moringa with
52.83% over control followed by lady’s finger, chillies,
cabbage, garden lab lab, bellary onion, small onion, ash gourd,
and snake gourd with 45.84%, 37.30%, 36.74%, 33.03%,
32.53%, 30.74%, 30.15%, and 30.02% respectively with
improved quality (Table 2). Improved yield and quality in
crops applied with seaweed liquid fertilizers have been well
documented (Khan et al., 2009). Zodape et al. (2008) had
observed that okra yielded 20.94% more over control with
application of 2.5% extract of K. alvarezii and in tomato the
increment when treated with 5% extract was 60.89% Zodape et
al., (2011). The yield of brinjal with Eucheuma seaweed
powder increased marginally higher to 41.1% (Eswaran et al.,
2005). Similar kind of result with eggplant was reported when
it treated with 2% extract of Ascophyllum nodosum (Bozorgi,
2012). Babu & Rengasamy (2012) observed that when chillies
were treated with 1% and 2% of SLF of K. alvarezii, it
95 Karthikeyan and Shanmugam
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Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences
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increased the crop yield to 23% and 15% respectively when
compare to control.
The high yield was also observed in ash gourds with 30.15%
over control followed by pumpkin, snake gourd, ridge gourd,
bottle gourd, bitter gourd, cucumber, watermelon and chow
chow with 28.56%, 30.02%, 11.98%, 28.03%, 26.64%,
24.19%, 25.89%, and 17.34% respectively (Table 2). Ahmed
& Shalaby (2012) recommend that liquid extract of E.
intestinelis (green alga), G. pectinutum (red alga) or
commercial seaweed liquid extract (Algreen) in addition to
manure is suitable product for better vegetative growth and
yield of cucumber plants. The seaweed extract of Ascophyllum
nodosum (3g/l) applied on watermelon plant, increased the
fresh weight, fruits diameter and peel thickness than control
plant (Abdel-Mawgoud et al., 2010).
Higher crop yields were observed in cabbage (36.74%),
cauliflower (29.61%), beetroot (28.84%), knol-khol (28.80%),
radish (26.08%), potato (23.90%) and carrot (14.21%) when
compared to control plants (Table 2). The seaweed extracts
powder Alga 600 and Seaforce-2 when applied on potato; it
increased the dry tuber weight to 14.67% when compared with
control (Sarhan, 2011). Abetz & Young (1983) observed that
the yield and size of cauliflower increased when treated with A.
nodosum extract.
The yield of treated plants in moringa, dolichos bean, bellary
onion, small onion, lima bean and soybean were 52.83%,
33.03%, 32.53%, 30.74%, 25.38% and 22.10% respectively
(Table 2). Soybean treated with extract of Kappaphycus at
15% and 12.5% showed highest grain yield of 57% and 46%
respectively compared to the control and maximum straw yield
was also found with treatment of 15% extract (Rathore et al.,
2009). Similar kind of result in onion bulb (22.0%) when
treated with Eucheuma seaweed powder (Eswaran et al., 2005)
and high yield with improved quality of onion was found when
treated with extract of A. nodosum (Dogra & Mandradia,
2012).
Table 2 Effect of bio-stimulant from seaweed K. alvarezii on yield of some vegetable crops.
Cultivar name
Variety name
Plantation type
Date of plantation
Yield increase over
control (%)
Tomato
Co3 Hybrid
Seeds
03.06.12
20.94
Lady’s finger
US 7902 Hybrid
Seeds
22.05.12
45.84
Brinjal
Co2 Hybrid
Seeds
03.06.12
24.53
Chillies
US 612 Hybrid
Seeds
01.01.14
37.30
Capsicum
ARKA MOHINI
Seeds
01.01.14
29.28
Ash gourd
MAH-1 Hybrid
Seeds
12.12.14
30.15
Pumpkin
ARKA CHANDAN
Seeds
12.12.14
28.56
Snake gourd
COVAI 951 F1 Hybrid
Seeds
20.07.12
30.02
Ridge gourd
US 66 Hybrid
Seeds
20.07.12
11.98
Bottle gourd
WARAD MGH-4
Seeds
20.07.12
28.03
Bitter gourd
US 475 Hybrid
Seeds
20.07.12
26.64
Cucumber
Local
Seeds
25.12.13
24.19
Watermelon
ANKUR KASHISH Hybrid
Seeds
25.12.13
25.89
Chow-chow
Green fruits
Fully matured fruits
15.08.13
17.34
Potato
KUFRI JYOTI
Seeds
15.08.13
23.90
Cabbage
MAHARANI- F1
Seeds
09.01.13
36.74
Cauliflower
SHOBHA -F1
Seeds
09.01.13
29.61
Beetroot
VALLY QUEEN
Seeds
18.01.13
28.84
Carrot
PUSA KESAR
Seeds
15.08.13
14.21
Radish
ROSHNI
Seeds
18.01.13
26.08
Lima Bean
Co2
Seeds
17.07.12
25.38
Doli Chos Bean
ANKUR GOLDY
Seeds
17.07.12
33.03
Soybean
JSS 355
Seeds
17.07.12
22.10
Moringa
PKM-1
Seeds
02.05.12
52.83
Small onion
CO-ON-5
Seeds
15.06.13
30.74
Bellary onion
PREMA - 178
Seeds
15.06.13
32.53
Knol-khol
EARLY WHITE
Seeds
18.01.13
28.80
Development of a protocol for the application of commercial bio-stimulant manufactured from Kappaphycus alvarezii in selected vegetable crops. 96
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Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences
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Figure 1 Some of the vegetable crops studied in the present investigation with their vegetable yield
97 Karthikeyan and Shanmugam
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Table 3 Dosage and application protocol of seaweed bio-stimulant used for home garden vegetable crops.
Crop name
Root dip
I Dose
II Dose
III Dose
TBS
Tomato b
Root of nurseries was dipped
in 0.7% of bio-stimulant for
10min before transplantation.
10th day (After
transplantation)
25-30th day
(Pre-flowering
stage)
45-50th day
(Flowering phase)
21
(1+5+5+5+5)
Lady’s finger c
(Okra)
-
15-20th day
(Germination stage)
35-40th day
(Flowering
stage)
50-55th day (First
fruits picking
stage)
16
(1+5+5+5)
Brinjal
Root of nurseries was dipped
in 0.7% of bio-stimulant for
10min before transplantation.
15-20th day
(Germination stage)
35-40th day
(Flowering
stage)
50-55th day (First
fruits picking
stage)
16
(1+5+5+5)
Chillies
Sowing
40-45th day
(Vegetative stage)
95-100th day
(Flowering
stage)
125-130th day
(Fruits picking
stage)
15
(5+5+5)
Transplantation: Root of
nurseries was dipped in 0.7%
of bio-stimulant for 10min
before transplantation.
20-25th day (Days
after
transplantation)
60-65th day
(Flowering
stage)
80-85th day
(First fruits
picking stage)
16
(1+5+5+5)
Capsicum
(Sweet pepper
/ Bell pepper)
Sowing
30-35th day
(Vegetative stage)
60-65th day
(Flowering
stage)
90-95th day
(Fruits picking
stage)
15
(5+5+5)
Transplantation: Root of
nurseries is dipped in 0.7% of
bio-stimulant for 10min before
transplantation.
20-25th day (Days
after
Transplantation)
60-65th day
(Flowering
stage)
80-85th day
(First fruits
picking stage)
16
(1+5+5+5)
a Recommended dosage of bio-stimulant: 5%; b IV dose at 75-80th day (Picking phase); c Seed treatment; Seeds were soaked for 10min
in 1% of bio-stimulant before sowing, TBS - Total bio-stimulant required Per acre (L).
3.1 Effect on plant disease control
Twenty seven vegetable crops studied in the present
investigation looked healthy and generally free from disease as
compared to their control plants. Extract of seaweed have been
reported to increase resistance of plant against pest and
diseases, increase plant growth and quality yield (Jolivet et al.,
1991; Verkleij, 1992; Pardee et al., 2004; Hong et al., 2007;
Jeyaraj et al., 2008). Similarly, Sultana et al. (2011) had
reported that number of liquid seaweed extract found to control
root rotting fungi like Rhizoctonia solani, Macrophomina
phaseolina, Fusarium species and root kot nematode
(Meloidogyne spp.) on a variety of crops. The resistance to
frost and fungal disease were reported when seaweed extract
was applied to some crops (Zodape, 2001). Ara et al. (1996)
had observed that extract of Sargassum spp. controlled the root
rot disease in sunflower plant. Seaweed fertilizer was found to
boost the resistibility adjacent to disease and in addition to
reduce the insect attack (Zahid, 1999). Dogra & Mandradia
(2012) had found that extract of A. nodosum significantly
reduced the downy mildew severity over control in onion plant
and it had also been reported that seaweed extract of
Asparagopsis taxiformis found to act against phytopathogens
(Manilal et al., 2009). Lynn (1972) had observed that seaweed
extract of A. nodosum protected Capsicum annuum and sweet
pepper from stress to frost, microbial diseases and insect attack
and increased the shelf life of fruits and better seed
germination.
3.2 Effect of seed Treatment
Seed and root treatment had improved the viability of plantlets
and grow vigorously as compared to control plants in the
present study and it is in agreement with the literatures reports.
The introductory soaking of Triticum aestivun seeds in 20%
extracts of Sargassum wightii for 24 hrs gave an 11% increase
in seed germination, a 63% enhance in number of lateral roots
and 46% increase in shoot length in comparing to control
(Kumar & Sahoo, 2011). 100% seed germination was observed
in lowest concentration of SLF in black gram (Venkataraman
Kumar et al., 1993) and SLF promote the seed germination as
well as yield of the vegetable crops (Narasimha Rao & Reshmi
Chatterjee, 2014). Treatment at 0.05% of concentrated extract
of Laminaria digitata on Plantago lanceolata, Trifolium
repens and Avena strigosa had given higher germination
percentage (Thorsen et al., 2010).
Development of a protocol for the application of commercial bio-stimulant manufactured from Kappaphycus alvarezii in selected vegetable crops. 98
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Table 4 Dosage and application protocol of seaweed bio-stimulant used for gourds vegetable crops.
Crop name
Seed treatment
I Dose
II Dose
III Dose
TBS
Ash gourd
Seeds were soaked for 30min in 1% of bio-stimulant
and incubated it for 6 days for before sowing
20-25th day
(Vegetative stage)
60-65th day (Flowering
stage)
80-85th day
(Picking stage)
16
(1+5+5+5)
Pumpkin
Seeds were soaked for 30min in 1% of bio-stimulant
and incubate it for 6 days for before sowing
20-25th day
(Vegetative stage)
60-65th day (Flowering
stage)
80-85th day
(Picking stage)
16
(1+5+5+5)
Snake gourd
Seeds were soaked for 30min in 1% of bio-stimulant
before sowing
20-25th day
(Vegetative stage)
60-65th day (Flowering
stage)
80-85th day
(Picking stage)
16
(1+5+5+5)
Ridge gourd / Ribbed
gourd
Seeds were soaked for 30min in 1% of bio-stimulant
before sowing
20-25th day
(Vegetative stage)
60-65th day (Flowering
stage)
80-85th day
(Picking stage)
16
(1+5+5+5)
Bottle gourd
Seeds were soaked for 30min in 1% of bio-stimulant
before sowing
20-25th day
(Vegetative stage)
60-65th day (Flowering
stage)
80-85th day
(Picking stage)
16
(1+5+5+5)
Bitter gourd
Seeds were soaked for 30min in 1% of bio-stimulant
before sowing
20-25th day
(Vegetative stage)
60-65th day (Flowering
stage)
80-85th day
(Picking stage)
16
(1+5+5+5)
Cucumber
Seeds were soaked for 30min in 1% of bio-stimulant
before sowing
10th day (Germination
phase)
35-40th day
(Vegetative stage)
65-70th day
(Flowering initiation
to first picking stage)
16
(1+5+5+5)
Watermelon
Seeds were soaked for 30min in 1% of bio-stimulant
before sowing
20-25th day
(Vegetative stage)
60-65th day (Flowering
stage)
80-85th day
(Picking stage)
16
(1+5+5+5)
a Recommended dosage of bio-stimulant 5%, TBS - Total bio-stimulant per acre (Lit),
Table 5 Dosage and application protocol of seaweed bio-stimulant used for cole, root and tuber vegetable crops.
Crop name
I Dose
II Dose
III Dose
TBS
Chow chow
(Chayote)
25 - 30th day (Vegetative phase)
3rd month (Pre-flowering phase)
5th month (Flowering phase)
15 (5+5+5)
Potato b
20-25th day (Plant establishment stage)
50-55th day (Vegetative phase)
80-85th day (Early root development Phase)
20 (5+5+5+5)
Cabbage c
10-15th day (Plant establishment stage)
35-40th day (Head initiation stage)
70-75th day (Head development phase)
16 (1+5+5+5)
Cauliflower c
10-15th day (Plant establishment stage)
25-30th day (Curd initiation stage)
45-50th day (Curd development phase)
16 (1+5+5+5)
Beetroot
25-30th day (Vegetative stage)
55-60th day (Early root development stage)
80-85th day (Maturity stage)
16 (1+5+5+5)
Carrot
25-30th day (Vegetative stage)
55-60th day (Early root development stage)
80-85th day (Maturity stage)
15 (5+5+5)
Radish
10-15th day (Vegetative phase)
25-30th day (Early root development stage)
40-45th day (Maturity stage)
15 (5+5+5)
Knol-khol
10-15th day (Vegetative phase)
25-30th day (Early root development stage)
40-45th day (Maturity stage)
15 (5+5+5)
a Recommended dosage of bio-stimulant 5%, b IV Dose at 100-105th day (Root maturity stage), c Root dip: Transplantation: Root of nurseries was dipped in 0.7% of bio-stimulant for
10min before transplantation, TBS - Total bio-stimulant per acre (Lit).
99 Karthikeyan and Shanmugam
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Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences
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3.3 Effect of foliar application
Seaweed extract applied as foliar application found to
significantly enhance the yield, growth and quality of crops
(Pramanick et al., 2013). Seaweed liquid extract have gained
importance to different range of crops like cereals, grasses,
vegetables, species and flowers when applied through foliar
application (Crouch & Van Staden, 1992). Seaweed extract is
important to find out the organic sources for seed and foliar
treatments for effective maintenance of vigour and viability
(Dwivedi et al., 2014). The maximum yield of tomato (Zodape
et al., 2011) and banana (Karthikeyan & Shanmugam, 2014)
had been observed when using foliar application of K. alvarezii
extract. Similar kind of result was observed by Pramanick et
al., (2013) that the foliar application of seaweed sap improved
the nutrient uptake capacity of crops.
In the present investigation, it was also observed that emerging
of first flower appeared in all treated plants at least 5-10d
earlier than control and similar kind of observation had been
recorded in the literature. Dwivedi et al., (2014) reported that
seaweed extracts not only increase the vegetative growth of the
plant but it also triggers the early flowering, fruiting in crops
and ultimately on seed yields. Seaweed extracts are
ecologically safe, non-polluting, non-toxic, and harmless to
human beings, animals and birds (Dhargalkar & Pereira, 2005).
In addition to reducing the cost of inorganic fertilizers,
application of seaweed bio-stimulants improves soil health,
enhances the yield and quality of produce in organic vegetables
production thereby increasing the domestic and international
market (Chatterjee & Thirumdasu, 2014).
Conclusions
It can be concluded from the present study that 27 vegetable
crops tested had responded well to bio-stimulant (Aquasap)
manufactured from seaweed K. alvarezii. The average yield
increased from 11.98% to 45.84% with much improved
vegetable quality. Therefore, the protocol used in this study
will be useful to the farmers to produce organic vegetables.
Acknowledgement
The authors are very grateful to Mr. Abhiram Seth, MD, Mr.
Arun Patnaik, CEO and Mr. Tanmaye Seth of AquAgri
Processing Private Limited for their constant encouragement,
guidance and allocation of budget to carry out the present
investigations. The authors also wish to thank farmers who
agreed to carry out and monitor the trials in their farm.
Conflict of interest
Authors would hereby like to declare that there is no conflict of
interests that could possibly arise.
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