Inductive role of the brown alga Sargassum polycystum on growth and biosynthesis of imperative metabolites and antioxidants of two crop plants

Abstract

The potential of macroalgae as biostimulants in agriculture was proved worthy.Vicia fabaandHelianthus annuusare socioeconomic crops owing to their increasing demand worldwide. In this work, we investigated the energetic role of seed presoaking and irrigation by the brown seaweed,Sargassum polycystumaqueous extract (SAE) on certain germination and growth traits, photosynthetic pigments, carbohydrates, phenolics, flavonoids, and the total antioxidant activity. Compared to the control plants, our consequences revealed that seeds that received the SAE improved all the germination and growth criteria for both crop plants. Furthermore, the SAE significantly increased the carotenoids, total photosynthetic pigments, and total carbohydrates by (14%, 7%, and 41%) forV. fabaand (17%, 17%, and 38%) forH. annuus, respectively. Phenolics and flavonoids were significantly induced inViciabut slightly promoted inHelianthuplants, whereas the total antioxidant activity in both crops non significantly elevated. Even though The NPK contents were significantly stimulated by the SAE inViciaplants, the effect was different inHelianthus, where only nitrogen content was significantly enhanced, whereas phosphorus and potassium showed little enhancement. Thus, the SAE treatment is one of the superlative sustainable strategies for food, feed, and as excellent plant conditioner.