Skip to main content
Log in

Effect of seaweed liquid extract on growth and yield of Triticum aestivum var. Pusa Gold

  • Published:
Journal of Applied Phycology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The effect of seaweed liquid extract (SLE) of Sargassum wightii on germination, growth and yield of Triticum aestivum var. Pusa Gold was studied. Application of a lower concentration (20%) of SLE enhanced the percentage of seed germination, growth and yield, as measured by kernel number and seed dry weight. All growth and yield parameters were found to be highest at the 20% concentration SLE treatment. Total (100%) seed germination was observed for the 20% concentration SLE treatment, an 11% increase over the control. The present study demonstrated that seaweed liquid extract could serve as an alternative biofertilizer as is eco-friendly, cheaper, deliver substantial economic and environmental benefits to farmers.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allen VG, Pond KR, Saker KE, Fontenot JP, Bagley CP, Ivy RL, Evans RR, Schmidt RE, Fike JH, Zhang X, Ayad JY, Brown CP, Miller MF, Montgomery JL, Mahan J, Wester DB, Melton C (2001) Tasco: influence of a brown seaweed on antioxidants in forages and livestock—a review. J Anim Sci 79:E21–E31

    Google Scholar 

  • Anantharaj M, Venkatesalu V (2002) Studies on the effect of seaweed extracts on Dolichos biflorus. Seaweed Res Util 24:129–137

    Google Scholar 

  • Arthur GD, Stirk WA, van Staden J (2003) Effect of a seaweed concentrate on the growth and yield of three varieties of Capsicum annuum. S Afr J Bot 69:207–211

    Google Scholar 

  • Atzmon N, van Staden J (1994) The effect of seaweed concentrate on the growth of Pinus pinea seedlings. New For 8:279–288

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beckett RP, van Staden J (1989) The effect of seaweed concentrate on the growth and yield of potassium stressed wheat. Plant Soil 116:29–36

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bhosle NB, Untawale AG, Dhargalkar VK (1975) Effect of seaweed extract on the growth of Phaseolus vulgaris L. Indian J Mar Sci 4:208–210

    Google Scholar 

  • Blunden G (1991) Agricultural uses of seaweeds and seaweed extracts. In: Guiry MD, Blunden G (eds) Seaweed resources in Europe: uses and potential. Wiley, Chichester, pp 65–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Blunden G, Smith BE, Mason TG, Ying Xu, Yvin JC, Chabot R (1991) Betaines in seaweed extracts. J Eur Cosmet 13:113–118

    Google Scholar 

  • Bokil KK, Mehta VC, Datar DS (1974) Seaweeds as manure: II pot culture manorial experiments on wheat. Phykos 13:1–5

    Google Scholar 

  • Challen SB, Hemingway JC (1965) Growth of higher plants in response to feeding with seaweed extracts. Proc Int Seaweed Symp 5:359–367

    Google Scholar 

  • Cluzet S, Torregrosa C, Jacquet C, Lafitte C, Fournier J, Mercier L, Salamagne S, Briand X, Esquerré-Tugayé MT, Dumas B (2004) Gene expression profiling and protection of Medicago truncatula against a fungal infection in response to an elicitor from the green alga Ulva spp. Plant Cell Environ 27:917–928

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Crouch IJ, van Staden J (1992) Effect of seaweed concentrate on the establishment and yield of greenhouse tomato plants. J Appl Phycol 4:291–296

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crouch IJ, van Staden J (1993) Evidence for the presence of plant growth regulators in commercial seaweed products. Plant Growth Regul 13:21–29

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Crouch IJ, van Staden J (1994) Commercial seaweed products as biostimulants in horticulture. J Home Consum Hortic 1:19–76

    Google Scholar 

  • Durand N, Briand X, Meyer C (2003) The effect of marine bioactive substances (NPRO) and exogenous cytokinins on nitrate reductase activity in Arabidopsis thaliana. Physiol Plant 119:489–493

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ei-Zeiny OAH (2007) Effect of bio-fertilizers and root exudates of two weeds as a source of natural growth regulators on growth and productivity of bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Res J Agric Biol Sci 3:440–446

    Google Scholar 

  • Featonby-Smith BC (1984) Cytokinins in Ecklonia maxima and the effect of seaweed concentrate on plant growth. Ph.D Thesis, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, pp 153.

  • Hansra BS (1993) Transfer of agricultural technology on irrigated agriculture. Fer News 38(4):31–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Hong DD, Hien HM, Son PN (2007) Seaweeds from Vietnam used for functional food, medicine and fertilizer. J Appl Phycol 19:817–826

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khan W, Rayirath UP, Subramanian S, Jithesh MN, Rayorath P, Hodges DM, Critchley AT, Craigie JS, Norrie J, Prithiviraj B (2009) Seaweed extracts as biostimulants of plant growth and development. Plant Growth Regul 28:386–399

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar G (2008) Effect of seaweed extract on growth and development of wheat. M.Phil. Thesis, University of Delhi, Delhi, pp 66.

  • Kumar RAS, Effie A, Saravanababu S (2007) Studies on the effect of seaweed and seagrass liquid fertilizers on the fruit length and weight of Abelmoschus esculentus L. Var. Hybrid-10. Seaweed Res Util 29:101–103

    Google Scholar 

  • Mancuso S, Azzarello E, Mugnai S, Briand X (2006) Marine bioactive substances (IPA extract) improve ion fluxes and water stress tolerance in potted Vitis vinifera plants. Adv Hortic Sci 20:156–161

    Google Scholar 

  • Masny A, Basak A, Żurawicz E (2004) Effects of foliar applications of KELPAK SL and GOËMAR BM 86® preparation on yield and fruit quality in two strawberry. J Fruit Ornam Plant Res 12:23–27

    Google Scholar 

  • Metting B, Zimmerman WJ, Crouch IJ, van Staden J (1990) Agronomic uses of seaweed and microalgae. In: Akatuska I (ed) Introduction to applied phycology. SPB, The Hague, pp 267–307

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore KK (2004) Using seaweed compost to grow bedding plants. BioCycle 45:43–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Norrie J, Keathley JP (2006) Benefits of Ascophyllum nodosum marine-plant extract applications to ‘Thompson seedless’ grape production. Acta Hortic 727:243–247

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rayorath P, Jithesh MN, Farid A, Khan W, Palanisamy R, Hankins SD, Critchley AT, Prithiviraj B (2008) Rapid bioassay to evaluate the plant growth promoting activity of Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) Le Jol. Using a model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. J Appl Phycol 20:423–429

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sahoo D (2000) Farming the ocean: seaweeds cultivation and utilization. Aravali, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  • Sivasankari S, Venkatesalu V, Anatharaj M, Chandrasekaran M (2006) Effect of seaweed extract on the growth and biochemical constitutes of Vigna sinensis. Bioresour Technol 97:1745–1751

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Slàvik M (2005) Production of Norway spruce (Picea abies) seedlings on substrate mixes using growth stimulants. J For Sci 51:15–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Stirk WA, Novak O, Strnad M, van Staden J (2003) Cytokinins in macroalgae. Plant Growth Regul 41:13–24

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stirk WA, Arthur GD, Lourens AF, Novak O, Strnad M, van Staden J (2004) Changes in cytokinin and auxin concentrations in seaweed concentrates when stored at an elevated temperature. J Appl Phycol 16:31–39

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Temple WD, Bomke AA (1989) Effects of kelp (Macrocystis integrifolia and Ecklonia maxima) foliar application on bean crop growth. Plant Soil 117:85–92

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thevanathan R, Rajarajan R, Bhavan ILG (2005) Liquid fertilizer preparation of marine microalgae to enhance the yield and quality of tea. Seaweed Res Util 27:117–123

    Google Scholar 

  • Washington WS, Engleitner S, Boontjes G, Shanmuganathan N (1999) Effect of fungicides, seaweed extracts, tea tree oil and fungal agents on fruit rot and yield in strawberry. Aust J Exp Agric 39:487–494

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wildgoose PB, Blunden G, Jewers K (1978) Seasonal variation in gibberellin activity of some species of Fucaceae and Laminariaceae. Bot Mar 21:63–65

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu Y, Jenkins T, Blunden G, Whaphan C, Hankin SD (1997) The role of betaines in alkaline extracts of Ascophyllum nodosum in the reduction of Meloidogyne javanica and M. incognita infestations of tomato plants. Fundam Appl Nematol 20:99–102

    Google Scholar 

  • Xavier GSA, Jesudass LL (2007) Effect of seaweed extracts on cluster bean. Seaweed Res Util 29:85–87

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang X, Ervin EH (2004) Cytokinin-containing seaweed and humic acid extracts associated with creeping bentgrass leaf cytokinins and drought resistance. Crop Sci 44:1737–1745

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang X, Ervin EH (2008) Impact of seaweed extract-based cytokinins and zeatin riboside on creeping bentgrass heat tolerance. Crop Sci 48:364–370

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the University Grants Commission, New Delhi for granting fellowship for this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dinabandhu Sahoo.

Additional information

This paper was presented at the 7th Asia Pacific Congress on Algal Biotechnology, New Delhi, 2009

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kumar, G., Sahoo, D. Effect of seaweed liquid extract on growth and yield of Triticum aestivum var. Pusa Gold. J Appl Phycol 23, 251–255 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-011-9660-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-011-9660-9

Keywords

Navigation