Evaluation of the impact of marine algae biostimulants and fertilisation program on nutrient uptake, drought tolerance and plants condition as a method of improving potential quality and fertility

Abstract

The aim of the research was to evaluate various fertilisation programs in increasing plant resistance to abiotic stress such as drought. It was tested whether the algal biostimulator provides the same tolerance to drought stress in highbush blueberry plants as regular fertilisers without biostimulation. The research was conducted in 2022 in a greenhouse in controlled drought conditions. Three-year-old highbush blueberry bushes (12 pieces) were used in the experiment. Highbush blueberry bushes (Vaccinium corymbosum) 'Brigitta Blue' cultivars were planted in plastic pots with a capacity of 10 dm3 containing an acidic substrate and placed in a greenhouse. Controlled lighting conditions were maintained using sodium lamps and a temperature of 25°C/20°C day/night. The substrate in pots was maintained at 80% of field water capacity by manual watering and weekly supply of nutrient solution for 5 weeks until water deficit occurred. Half of the plants were sprayed weekly with a biostimulant based on seaweed extract. Seven days after the third application of the product, half of the untreated and treated plants were subjected to water deficit stress by restricting water supply to 40% of field capacity. The tested biostimulator impacted on stimulating the activity of antioxidant enzymes but had no effect on the chlorophyll content in the leaves or the concentration of nutrients in the leaves. The effect of marine algae products on the yield quantity and high quality is related among other to bioactiv substances witch helps to prevent drought stress.