Differential Response of Cotton Growth, Yield and Fiber Quality to Foliar Application of Spirulina platensis and Urea Fertilizer

Abstract

Aims: Evaluation if foliar spray of destructed cells of Spirulina platensis along with urea fertilizer can contribute to cotton (Gossypium barbadense L. cultivar Giza-94) plant growth, contents of photosynthetic pigments, seed cotton yield, seed index, earliness, lint percent, fineness (Micronair) and strength (Pressely).
 Study Design: Application of ascending rates of N fertilizer in 3 mainplot treatments and foliar spray with destructed cells of Spirulina platensis in 4 subplot treatments (Contained a non-treated control), with 3 replications.
 Place and Duration of Study: The Departments of Microbiology and Cotton Research, Sakha Agricultural Research Station, Kafr Elsheikh, Egypt (31º18′30″N & 30º48′14″E) during the two cotton cultivation seasons of years 2016 and 2017.
 Methodology: Urea (46% N) at 96, 144 or 192 kg N/ha was applied in two equal doses as main-plot treatments. Spirulina platensis was grown and total proteins, contents of 16 amino acids and Fe, K, Mn and P of dried destructed cells were determined and used for foliar application in the rates of 6, 12 or 18 g cells/ha, used as sub-plot treatments. Area of each replicated sub-plot was 12.5 m2. Calcium super phosphate (15% P2O5), potassium sulphate (48% K2O) and Insecticides (when necessary) were supplemented as common treatments. 
 Results: Application of destructed Spirulina increased the plant leaf area, chlorophyll a, b, carotenoids and gibberellin contents, plant height, fruiting branches, open bolls/plant, seed cotton yield and seed index after ginning, fiber length, fineness (Micronair) and strength (Pressely) comparing to the corresponding non-sprayed plants. Urea at 192 kg N/ha along with destructed Spirulina exhibited superiority as enhancers of plant growth, yield and fiber qualities.
 Conclusion: The dual N/Spirulina combination expressed enhanced cotton growth, yield and qualities of fibers. The tested fertilization strategy is promising for enhanced cotton production economy.

Plant Biostimulants from Cyanobacteria: An Emerging Strategy to Improve Yields and Sustainability in Agriculture

“…plant growth [43,54,61,62,64,75,76,78] germination [70,72] macro-and micronutrient content [64,71] pigment content [62,64,75,76,78] photosynthesis rate [64] essential oil content [61] phytohormones content [78] antioxidant activity [43] tolerance to thermal stress [65] reduction of heavy metal content [54] rice [43] spinach [54] peppermint [61] lupin [62] willow [64] Sida hermaphrodita [65] wheat [71] cotton [72] cumin [70] cantaloupe [75] lettuce [76] chrysanthemum [78] Arthrospira platensis plant growth [50,[79][80][81][82][83][84][85][86][87][88] macro-and micronutrient content [53,79,…”

Maximize Growth and Productivity of Rice by Using N2-Fixing Anabaena oryzae and Spirulina platensis Extract

“…Compared with other treatments, the combination of Spirulina platensis extract and Anabaena oryzae with 75% recommended dose of N (T9) resulted in the highest value of chlorophyll content, plant height, panicle number /m2 and panicle length.. This is because the foliar spray of spirulina platensis extract contains several amino acids, bioactive compounds which increase plant growth (Rizwan et al, 2017), improves chlorophyll a and b (Bashir et al, 2018) and enhances plant biomass (Yanni et al, 2020). Also, the continuous supply of nitrogen by Anabaena stimulates the secretion of growth substances, which increases the absorption of N, P and K nutrients (Zebo et al, 1998).…”

“…Application of Spirulina platensis was improved the chlorophyll a, b, leaf area, gibberellin, carotenoids, and height of the plant (Yanni et al, 2020). The foliar spray of Spirulina extract is pollution-free, cheap, improve the mineral nutrients in plants, and uses renewable resources to protect soil fertility (Anitha et al, 2016).…”

Strain-Specific Biostimulant Effects of Chlorella and Chlamydomonas Green Microalgae on Medicago truncatula

“…In most studies on the effect of MA on plants, Chlorella [42,[47][48][49][55][56][57][58][59], Scenedesmus [32,34,39] and the cyanobacterium Arthrospira (Spirulina) [60][61][62] species have been investigated for their potential biostimulatory effect on a whole range of plants including corn, spinach, Chinese chives, onions, lettuce and tomatoes. Chlorella is the most popular because of its rapid growth and ability to thrive in a wide range of environmental conditions including adverse ones such as drought, saline, cold and hot habitats.…”