Growth enhancement of agricultural crops using seaweed liquid fertilizer

Abstract

Extensive use of chemical fertilizer is leading to infertility of soil and various hazardous effect on the ecosystem. Using biofertilizer reduces these harmful effects. Many are commercially available, being a poor match to chemical fertilizer they are not used on a large scale. Near coastal regions seaweeds are used as biofertilizers. Recent studies show seaweeds have multiple growth regulators, macro and micronutrients, polysaccharides which are necessary for plant growth. The study is carried out to check the bioactivity of Seaweed liquid fertilizer (SLF) as a growth stimulant. Sargassum cinereum, Ulva rigida and Ahnfeltia plicata found on the Indian coastline were used. SLFs were prepared from each of three species in varying concentration (0.02%, 0.04%, 0.06%, 0.08% and 0.1% v/v) with water and Urea as control. The test plant selected was Vigna radiata. Agronomic characters like germination rate, shoot length, flowering and fruiting period of test plants were studied. Phyto-hormones from SLF were detected by thin-layer chromatography. Elemental analysis of micronutrients in SLF was carried by ICP-AES. Along with Chlorophyll and Protein estimation of grown plants were checked. SLF shelf life was studied using chemical and biological preservatives. The effect of 0.06% concentration of all SLFs showed enhancement in growth and phytochemicals in plants. Plants treated with SLF showed flowering earlier than control plants. Thus, using SLF bio-fertilizer can become an alternative method to reduce the use of harmful chemical fertilizers.