Effect of microalgae hydrolysate foliar application (Arthrospira platensis and Scenedesmus sp.) on Petunia x hybrida growth

Abstract

In horticultural practice, accelerated plant development, and particularly earlier flowering, has been reported with microalgae applications. Therefore, the objective of this work was to study the effects of foliar spraying with Scenedesmus sp. and Arthrospira platensis hydrolysates on Petunia x hybrida plant development and leaf nutrient status. Three treatments were tested: T1 (foliar application with water, the control), T2 (foliar application with Arthrospira) and T3 (foliar application with Scenedesmus). Foliar spraying was applied 5 times (0, 14, 28, 35 and 42 days after transplanting). The concentration of both microalgae was 10 g L-1. At the end of the trial, biometric parameters and nutrient concentration in photosynthetic organs (the leaves) were measured. The results of this assay show that foliar application of Scenedesmus accelerated plant development in terms of higher rates of root growth, leaf and shoot development and earliness of flowering. Arthrospira enhanced the root dry matter, the number of flowers per plant and the water content. Nevertheless, a reduction was found in the conductive tissue (stem+petiole) dry weight with Arthrospira compared with Scenedesmus and the control. The results also show that microalgae hydrolysate supply can improve the plant nutrient status. Based on these results, it is advisable to use Scenedesmus hydrolysates in foliar applications to increase the blooming of Petunia x hybrida. 1.Introduction There is a growing need to develop environmentally friendly strategies for sustainable culturing of horticultural crops with high yields involving less environmental damage (Alves-Dias et al., 2016). This consists of reducing or substituting the use of chemical inputs, especially fertilizers and pesticides, with natural or

Biostimulant Potential of Scenedesmus obliquus Grown in Brewery Wastewater

“…These results could demonstrate the presence of molecules with biological activity such as gibberellins, which are a group of plant hormones that play an important role in the initiation of seed germination and stem elongation [32,33]. As it is shown in Table 1, the higher germination indexes of watercress seeds were obtained for treatments without hydrolyzing the biomass, that is T1 and T2 (undisrupted biomass) and T5 and T6 (disrupted biomass).…”

“…This fact could explain the inhibitory effect at higher concentrations (2 g/L). Plaza et al (2018) [33] analyzed the hormone content of the hydrolyzed of Scenedesmus sp. and Arthrospira sp.…”

Main Variables Affecting a Chemical-Enzymatic Method to Obtain Protein and Amino Acids from Resistant Microalgae

“…Microalgae have a huge benefit as resource to supply the increasing demand of protein and amino acids for food and feed [1], biofertilizers and biostimulants [2], bulk chemicals [3], and bioactives [4]. Nevertheless, economic constraints have hampered the development of these applications, which in general have limited microalgae uses to high-value bioproducts [5][6][7].…”

Effects of Microalga (Chlorella vulgaris Beijerinck) on Seconder Metabolites and Antioxidative Defense System Improve Plant Growth and Salt Tolerance in Guar [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.]

“…The microalga may have potentially prevented the loss of nutrients as the result of N, P and K being released slowly, as an organic fertilizer, based on the plant's needs. Plaza et al (2018) found that a foliar application of scenedesmus hydrolysates was also seen to have increased the leaf and shoot number and improve foliar Ca, Mg, K and P levels.…”

“…Microalga are the world's largest oxygen-producing organisms and are crucial for planetary functions and sustainability of the ecosystem. Following the application of microalga products, plants have been reported to have exhibited different responses, such as robust growth, increased yield, improved nutrient uptake, increased biotic and abiotic stress resistance (fungal infections, pest attacks and frost), increased quality and fruit with a longer shelf life (Plaza et al, 2018;Singh et al, 2018a;Righini et al, 2018). Algae are comprised of active compounds, like organic and free amino acids, enzymes and phytohormones, as well as bioactive secondary metabolites, vitamins, vitamin precursors (Plaza et al, 2018), essential nutrients and plant growth regulators like auxins and cytokinins (Righini et al, 2018).…”