Ascophyllum nodosum Biostimulant Improves the Growth of Zea mays Grown Under Phosphorus Impoverished Conditions

Abstract

Phosphorous is one of the major limiting factors determining plant growth. Current agricultural practices mainly rely on the use of chemical fertilizers posing threat to the ecosystem. In this study, the application of an Ascophyllum nodosum extract (ANE) in phosphorous (P)-limited conditions improved the fresh and dry weight of shoots and roots of Zea mays. ANE-treated Z. mays grown under P-limited conditions showed a higher P content than the control. ANE activated simultaneous responses, at multiple levels, in Z. mays grown under P-limited conditions as seen from the regulation of gene expression at the whole-plant level to specific biochemical responses on a subcellular level. ANE-supplemented Z. mays grown under P-limited conditions also showed reduced electrolyte leakage and lipid peroxidation by an improved membrane stability. ANE treatment reduced P-limitation-induced oxidative damage in Z. mays by reducing H2O2 and O2- accumulation. Furthermore, ANE also induced the accumulation of the total contents of soluble sugars, amino acids, phenolics, and flavonoids. Gene expression analysis suggested that ANE differentially modulated the expression of P-starvation responsive genes involved in metabolic, signal transduction, and developmental pathways in Z. mays. ANE also modulated the expression of genes involved in sugar, lipid, and secondary metabolism. Thus, this study illustrated the role of ANE in improving the productivity of Z. mays, an important crop, in P-limited conditions. Furthermore, it sets the framework to increase agricultural productivity in nutrient deficient soils using a sustainable, eco-friendly strategy.

Recent Advances in the Molecular Effects of Biostimulants in Plants: An Overview

“…Moreover, application of this biostimulant led to a reduction in oxidative damage and electrolyte leakage, whilst increasing the total content of soluble sugar, phenolic compounds, flavonoids and amino acids. Interestingly, these results were correlated to positive changes in gene expression affecting the complex mechanism of P homeostasis of Zea mays [147]. Effects on the improvement of thermo tolerance in tomato has also been observed recently, especially in the pollen viability and chlorophyll levels [148].…”

“…The true potential of A. nodosum SWE is tied to stress tolerance in several species. Under limited phosphorus conditions, SWE of A. nodosum was shown to improve the growth of Zea mays, increasing overall biomass, NPK content and photosynthetic pigments when compared to the control [147]. Moreover, application of this biostimulant led to a reduction in oxidative damage and electrolyte leakage, whilst increasing the total content of soluble sugar, phenolic compounds, flavonoids and amino acids.…”

A Global Network Meta-Analysis of the Promotion of Crop Growth, Yield, and Quality by Bioeffectors

“…Thus, it cannot be related exclusively to enhanced spatial P acquisition. Other mechanisms and interactions related to the application of humic and amino acids and extracts need to be considered, such as humic–metal complexes, influence on soil biota, and increase of nutrient translocation ( Anitha, 2020 ; Shukla and Prithiviraj, 2021 ). However, these mechanisms need to be clarified in future experimental studies.…”

Biostimulants Application: A Low Input Cropping Management Tool for Sustainable Farming of Vegetables

“…extracts on tomato plants up-regulated the expression of six flowering genes. Other recent studies highlight the protective effects of seaweed extracts against oxidative stress in plants subjected to environmental stress, thus reducing electrolyte leakage and lipid peroxidation [ 116 ].…”