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Influence of seaweed liquid fertilizer of ulva lactuca on the seed germination, growth, productivity of Abelmoschus esculentus (L.)

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Divya Kaisarla at Andhra University
Divya Kaisarla
N. Mary Roja
N. Mary Roja
N. Mary Roja
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S. B. Padal at Andhra University
S. B. Padal
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Abstract and Figures

The present investigation is an attempt to study the influence of seaweed liquid fertiliger (SLF) extracted from the marine green algae ulva lactuca on the growth parameters of Abelmoschus esculentus (l) medikus. The seeds were soaked in different concentrations of SLF viz., 2.5%, 5%, 10%, 20% and control for 6h. The foliar spry was applied twice at four concentrations of seaweed extract. The maximum growth was recorded at 5% concentration viz., seed germination, shoot length, root length, no. of flowers, no. of fruits, fresh weight and dry weight when compare to control and remaining concentrations of seaweed extract. The seaweed extract are found effective in increasing the growth parameters.
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International Journal of Pharmacological Research www.ssjournals.com
ISSN: 2277-3312 Journal DOI:10.7439/ijpr
IJPR Volume 5 Issue 12 (2015) 344
Influence of seaweed liquid fertilizer of ulva lactuca on the seed
germination, growth, productivity of Abelmoschus esculentus (L.)
K. Divya*, N. Mary Roja and S.B. Padal
Department of Botany, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam-530003, A.P, India
Corresponding author*
K. Divya
Research Scholar,
Department of Botany,
Andhra University, Visakhapatnam-530003, A.P, India.
E-mail: divyakaisarla@gmail.com
1. Introduction
Seaweeds are marine macro algae which form an important component of marine living resources of the world.
Seaweed and it derived products are used as food, fodder in the coastal areas throughout the globe. The high amount of
water soluble potash, other minerals, trace elements and plant growth hormones present in seaweeds. Although seaweed
extracts are widely advertised for use as fertilizers, agricultural scientists have only rarely investigated their effects. Many
different beneficial effects have been described following the application of seaweed extracts to crops [1]. Seaweed
extracts have been shown to increase the crop yield, improve growth, induce resistance to frost, fungal and insect attacks.
In modern Agriculture, extensive application of chemical fertilizers caused imbalance of soil nutrients. So, search for
natural organic inputs for sustainable crop productivity has been emphasized. Bio-fertilizers are a 100 % natural organic
fertilizer that helps to provide all the nutrients to the soil required for the plants. Bio-fertilizers based on renewable energy
sources are most effective supplement to chemical fertilizers. Seaweeds are rich source of growth promoting substances
[2] such as IAA, kinetin, zeatin and gibberellins [3] auxins and cytokinins [4]; metabolic enhancers [5] ; macro and micro
elements [6], amino acids, vitamins and beneficial results from their use in crop plants like early seed germination and
establishment, improved crop performance and yield, elevated resistance to biotic and abiotic stress and enhanced post
harvest shelf life of seeds [7][8][9]. India is an agricultural country; nearly 70% of the nitrogen and phosphorus then the
farm manure. There population thrives in rural areas, engaged in agriculture are many plant growth hormones, regulators
and making the backbone of our economy. The fast growing promoters available to enhance yield attributes 1Population is
mounting tremendous pressure in food Seaweed liquid fertilizers will be useful for achieving production in the country. To
meet out this increasing higher agricultural production, because the extract demand, farmers use chemical fertilizers to
enhance the contains growth promoting hormones (IAA and IBA), crop production.
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Study area
The study area of the sample collection was Visakhapatnam. Visakhapatnam lies on the east coast of India
between latitudes170 14l 30ll and 170 451 and longitudes 830 16l 25ll and 830 211 3011 with vast resources of marine algal
species.
2.2. Collection of sample
The seaweed sample ulva lactuca was collect from the coast of Visakhapatnam. The algal sample was handpicked
and washed thoroughly with seawater to remove all the impurities, sand particles and epiphytes, transported to the
laboratory and washed thoroughly using tap water to remove the salt on the surface of the sample. The algal material was
Abstract
The present investigation is an attempt to study the influence of seaweed liquid fertiliger (SLF) extracted from
the marine green algae ulva lactuca on the growth parameters of Abelmoschus esculentus (l) medikus. The seeds were
soaked in different concentrations of SLF viz., 2.5%, 5%, 10%, 20% and control for 6h. The foliar spry was applied
twice at four concentrations of seaweed extract. The maximum growth was recorded at 5% concentration viz., seed
germination, shoot length, root length, number of flowers, number of fruits, fresh weight and dry weight when compare
to control and remaining concentrations of seaweed extract. The seaweed extract are found effective in increasing the
growth parameters.
Keywords: Liquid Seaweed Fertilizer, foliar application, SLF, productivity
K. Divya et al Research Article
IJPR Volume 5 Issue 12 (2015) 345
spread on blotting paper to remove excess water. They were shade dried. The dried seaweed is finally pulverized in the
commercial grinder and powdered seaweed samples are used for further analysis.
2.3. Preparation of seaweed liquid fertilizer
The seaweed liquid fertilizer is prepared by the method Ramarao (1990)[12]. The seaweed powder was added
with distilled water in a ratio 1:20(w/v) and autoclaved at 1200 15 1bs/sq for min. hot extract was filtrate through double
layered cheese cloth. The filtrate was taken and stored refrigerator. The extract was used to prepare different concentration
of SLF by adding distilled water.
2.4. Seed soaking
The seaweed liquid fertilizer was prepared with different concentration that is 2.5%, 5%, 10%, 20%. Then the
sowing seeds were soaked in particular concentration of SLF and control for 12 hrs. Then the seeds sowed and observed
for germination and early growth. The weeds were removed regularly and watering was done daily for the test plants.
2.5. Analysis
Plants from each treatment were randomly drawn for various analyses. The grown parameter including
germination percentage, fresh and dry weight, roots length and shoot length was calculated. Foliar application was done in
once in five days for the test plants.
2.6. Statically analysis
Data was analysed statistically using ANOVAs for CRD. All the measurements were triplicates.
3. Results and Discussions
The physic chemical properties of the extract of seaweed ulva lactuca have been analyzed. The extract contained
macro nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium and micro nutrients like iron, manganese, zinc,
copper and growth hormones like cytokinin, auxin and their values are given table.1. A stimulating effect of seaweed
liquid fertilizer on seed germination and growth was observed. The seeds soaked in (2.5%, 5%) concentrations of SLF
showed higher rates of germination while the higher concentration (10%, 20%) inhibited the seed germination. This is in
agreement with the earlier observation that seaweed extract induced varying seed germination [10]. SLF influenced on
growth parameters such as Root length, shoot length, no. of leaves, no. of flowers and no. of fruits. SLF also influenced on
fresh weight, dry weight of plants and fruits. Compared to control, plant spry with SLF (2.5%) significant increase (Table
2, 3) number of leaves (8.33±0.4), number of flowers (11.26±0.2), number of fruits (7.66±0.41), fresh weight
(13.06±0.45), and dry weight (5.96±0.25) of plant. Promotive effects of SLF application might be because of increased
root proliferation and establishment, thereby plants was able to mine more nutrients even from distant places and deeper
soil horizons, in balanced propotion [11].
Table.1: Mineral compositions of seaweed extract ulva lactuca
Macro nutrients
(mg/g dry weight)
Micro nutrients
(mg/g dry weight)
Plant growth hormones
(µg/g dry weight)
Nitrogen
174.02
Iron
8.74
370.86
Phosphorus
45.56
Manganese
5.69
290.52
Potassium
75.83
Zinc
1.81
Magnesium
67.71
Copper
1.71
Calcium
97.75
The results obtained from the growth and yield parameters of Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) treated with different
concentrations of SLF ulva lactuca and control are presented table 2 and 3.
Table 2: Effect of seaweed extract, ulva lactuca on the growth of Abelmoschus esculentus (L.)
Parameters
Control
2.5 % concentration
5% concentration
10% concentration
20% concentration
Root length
8.86±0.50
15.26±0.60
13.56±0.50
12.26±0.30
10.36±0.45
Shoot length
25.3±0.65
38.7±0.65
35.5±0.30
30.2±0.85
29.3±0.60
No. of leaves
3±0.81
8.33±0.4
6.01±0.1
5.53±0.5
3±0.95
No. of flowers
4.66±0.4
11.26±0.2
9.14±0.47
7.26±0.2
6.66±0.41
Fresh weight
4.60±0.50
13.06±0.45
10.18±0.50
9.30±0.2
7.10±0.5
Dry weight
1.06±0.1
5.96±0.25
3.96±0.20
3.01±0.25
2.56±0.1
K. Divya et al Research Article
IJPR Volume 5 Issue 12 (2015) 346
Table 3: Effect of seaweed extract, ulva lactuca on the yield of Abelmoschus esculentus (L.)
Parameters
Control
2.5 % concentration
5% concentration
10% concentration
20% concentration
No. of fruits
1.66±0.47
7.66±0.41
5.66±0.41
3.26±0.56
2.56±0.47
Fruit fresh weight
1.66±0.47
12.76±0.41
7.66±0.36
5.26±0.41
3.86±0.47
4. Conclusion
It is clear from the current study that seaweeds extract of ulva lactuca have an ameliorating effect on
Abelmoschus esculentus seeds under salt stress because of the presence of growth hormones, nutrients and other important
physiochemical compounds. So, the supplementation of SLF could be used as a biological amendment in soil reclamation
technique which can boost food production not only in cultivated lands but also in barren soils accumulated with salt.
Further study will be needed to test the influence of SLF on later growth and yield of Abelmoschus esculentus cultivated in
salt stress.
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This study focuses on evaluating the impact of marine algae extracts prepared from three Egyptian seaweeds on seed germination of Vigna sinensis, Pisum sativum and Zea mays. Seeds of the three plants were primed with seaweed liquid extracts (SLEs) of Ulva fasciata (ULE), Cystoseira compressa (CLE) and Laurancia obtusa (LLE) in 2.0% extract strength. LLE induced the maximum positive magnitude of response in the following five germination parameters: germination percentage (GP), relative seed germination (RSG), germination index (GI), seedling vigor index (SVI) and relative root elongation (RRE). LLE produced the maximum increases in all seedling morphological parameters with percent of promoting response 87.3% for hypocotyl growth of V. sinensis, 80% epicotyl growth for P. sativum and 86.96% coleoptile elongation of Z. mays. Concerning germination metabolism, the maximum amylase activity was recorded to LLE priming (80.36, 59.11 and 61.44 mg soluble sugars min-1 g-1 FW) for germinating seeds of V. sinensis, P. sativum and Z. mays, respectively. The same pattern of response was documented with protease activity giving 89.59, 90.42 and 98.84 µg amino acids min-1 g-1 FW for germinating seeds of V. sinensis, P. sativum and Z. mays, respectively. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of seaweed liquid extracts (ULE, CLE and LLE) in functioning as plant biostimulant enhancing seed germination of V. sinensis, P. sativum and Z. mays.
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Cytokinin-Containing Seaweed and Humic Acid Extracts Associated with Creeping Bentgrass Leaf Cytokinins and Drought Resistance
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Drought continues to be a major limiting factor for creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds. A.) quality and persistence on golf course fairways, greens, and tees. Little breeding specifically aimed at improving bentgrass drought resistance has been completed. However, a number of reports indicate that treatment with natural products such as seaweed extracts and humic acids improve cool-season grass drought resistance possibly by hormonal up-regulation of plant defense systems against oxidative stress. This study was conducted to determine the response of exogenous natural product treatment of three creeping bentgrass cultivars subjected to drought. 'Penn G-2', 'L-93', and 'Penncross' creeping bentgrass were treated with seaweed extract (SWE) at 0.5 kg ha -1, humic acid (HA; 80% a.i.) at 1.5 kg ha-1, alone or in combination, and maintained in a greenhouse at approximately field capacity (-0.01 MPa) or allowed to dry until near the permanent wilting point (-1.5 MPa). Unashed samples of SWE and HA contained 66 μg g-1 and 57 μg g-1 zeatin riboside (ZR), respectively, while ashed samples contained no detectable cytokinins as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). There were no significant differences between cultivars in response to drought, except for ZR concentration, which was higher in Penn G-2 than in L-93 or Penncross foliage. Turf quality and photochemical efficiency began to decline 14 d into the dry-down for the control and at 21 d in the natural product-treated bentgrass. The combination of HA + SWE enhanced root mass (21-68%), and foliar α-tocopherol (110%) and ZR (38%) contents. This is the first known report indicating that these natural products contain cytokinins and that their application resulted in increased endogenous cytokinin levels, possibly leading to improved creeping bentgrass drought resistance.
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Effect of Kappaphycus alvarezii (Doty) Doty ex silva. extract on grain quality, yield and some yield components of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Article
Full-text available
  • Apr 2009
  • INT J PLANT PROD
A pot experiment was conducted in rabi season 2004-05 to study the effect of Kappaphycus alvarezii extract applied as a foliar spray at 0.25%, 0.50% and 1.0% on wheat. Compared to control the yield of grain increased by 80.44% when, the plants were sprayed with 1.0% K. alvarezii extract. The nutritional quality of grain such as carbohydrate, protein and minerals also improved under the influence of treatment.
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Cytokinins in macroalgae
Article
Full-text available
  • Sep 2003
Thirty-one seaweeds were collected from the warmer KwaZulu-Natal coast and the cooler Cape waters (South Africa). Plant material was extracted with 70% ethanol supplemented with deuterium labelled standards of all known isoprenoid cytokinins. The samples were then centrifuged and purified by combined DEAE-Sephadexoctadecylsilica column and immunoaffinity chromatography and finally analysed for cytokinins by HPLC-linked mass spectrometry and a photodiode array detector. The cytokinin profiles were similar in all the macroalgae regardless of their taxonomy and growing locality. The main type of isoprenoid cytokinins present were zeatins with cis forms being more common than trans forms and isopentenyladenine (iP) derivatives. Only a few dihydrozeatin-type cytokinins were detected at very low levels in only nine species. Aromatic cytokinins were also present but at lower levels and were represented by benzyladenine (BA) and ortho- and meta-topolin derivatives. The topolins were present in greater diversity and concentrations than BA. For all the cytokinin types, the free bases, O-glucosides and nucleotides were the most common with no N-glucosides being detected and ribosides present at very low levels. The results suggest that different pathways for regulating cytokinin concentrations operate in macroalgae than in higher plants.
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The effect of a liquid seaweed extract from Ascophyllum nodosum (Fucales, Phaeophyta) on the two-spotted red spider mite Tetranychus urticae
Article
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  • Sep 1990
This paper presents evidence from an initial trial in favor of claims that the liquid seaweed extract of Ascophyllum nodosum, marketed in the UK as Maxicrop, can reduce numbers of the two-spotted red spider mite Tetranychus urticae on crop plants. Seven applications of Maxicrop Triple over 20 days significantly suppressed the population build-up of two-spotted red spider mites on treated strawberry plants (Fragaria sp. var. Redgauntlet) raised under high polythene tunnels as compared to untreated controls.
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Seaweed extract as a biostimulant for legume crop, green gram
Article
  • Jan 2011
The aim of this research is to investigate the effect of seaweed extracts obtained from the marine green algae, Ulva lactuca Linnaeus, Caulerpa scalpelliformis (R.Brown ex Turner) C. Agardh, brown algae Sargassum plagiophyllum C. Agardh, Turbinaria conoides (J. Agardh) Kutzing, Padina tetrastromatica Hauck, Dictyota dichotama (Hudson) J. V. Lamouroux on the stimulate germination, growth parameters of the Vigna radiata. The present study reveals the seeds germination, fresh weight and dry weight of shoots and roots. These results suggested that seaweed extracts stronger induce seed germination and growth parameters.
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Effect of liquid seaweed fertilizer on yield and quality of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)
Article
  • Jan 2009
A field experiment was conducted in summer of 2006 to study the effect of liquid seaweed fertilizer (LSF) applied as a foliar spray (conc. 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5% and 10.0%) on okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.). Control plants were sprayed with water. Yield and nutrition quality of okra fruit got significantly increased (20.47%) at LSF spray (2.5%). Introduction Application of seaweed extract as an organic biostimulant is fast becoming an accepted practice in horticulture 1 . Seaweed extracts are reported 2-4 effective fertilizer in many crops including vegetables, trees, flowering plants and grain crops. Many physiological responses shown by crop plants are reported 5-9 due to cytokinins. Main seaweed extract known to play useful role in agriculture are Maxicrop, Agrimore 13 , Seamac and Alginex 14 , and MAC 8 . This study presents effect of liquid seaweed fertilizer (LSF) applied as a foliar spray (conc. 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5% and 10.0%) on okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.). Materials and Methods A field experiment was conducted during summer of 2006 at Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola. LSF was derived from fresh Kappaphycus alvarezii and applied to foliage (conc. 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5% and 10.0%). Control plants were sprayed with water mixed with surfactant only. Experiment was a completely randomized block design with four replications per treatment. Total number of plants grown was: gross plot (1.80 m x 3.0 m), 40; and net plot (0.90 m x 2.40 m), 16. First foliar application of LSF was given just at initiation of flowering and remaining sprays at three weeks interval from application of first spray. Growth and yield data was recorded on the basis of net plot area. Analysis of nutritional contents of okra [carbohydrate, protein, dietary fibre, minerals (P, K, Na, Ca, and Mg) and vitamin C] was estimated by using standard procedure 15 . Result and Discussion Growth of plants, yield of grain as well as quality of product was greatly influenced by applications of LSF. Compared to control, plants sprayed with LSF (2.5%) showed a significant increase per net plot (Table 1) in fruit yield (20.47%), besides significant increase in length (31.77%) and diameter (18.26%) of fruit and number of fruits (37.47%) per net plot. LSF had influence on other growth parameter such as height, fresh weight, dry weight of plants and fruits, which is in conformity with earlier report 16 . Increase in the yield in A. esculentus and Lycopersicon lycopersicum 17 , wheat 9 , bean 18 , and black gram 19 has been reported with foliar application of LSF. Compared to control, plants sprayed with LSF (2.5%) showed increase (Table 2) in nutritional quality of okra as: carbohydrate, 7.39; protein, 28.04; and dietary fibre, 35.55 %. An increase was also registered in mineral contents. Enhancement in vitamin C of Trigonella foenum-graecum 20 , increase in N of beans 21 , sugar of sugarbeet 22 has been reported for plants treated with LSF. 1116 J SCI IND RES VOL 67 DECEMBER 2008 Foliar application of LSF at lower concentration was most effective compared to control and other concentrations of LSF, which is in conformity with green gram and black gram 23 and Dolichos biflorus 24 . Aitken & Senn 25 and Abetz 2 reported that LSF at very high concentrations retard plant growth, may be due to very high salt index observed in seaweed extracts that may be affecting growth and yield. Promotive effects of LSF application might be because of increased root proliferation and establishment, thereby plants were able to mine more nutrients even from distant places and deeper soil horizons, in balanced proportion. Besides, LSF regulated plant bio-physiological activities, which collectively resulted in maintaining higher photosynthetic activities 9 .
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