Use of two green algae Ulva lactuca and Ulva intestinalis as bio-fertilizers

Abstract

In recent years, development have been witnessed in the market expansion of agricultural inputs and products including substances and materials that improve the functioning of soil, plants and the interactions between soil and plant. This is a very broad category of products and substances that often bring innovative solutions in the field of fertilization and crop protection.The objective of this study is to improve the production of market garden where tomato plants in nurseries from powders of two green algae Ulva lactuca and Ulva intestinalis, harvested as bio-fertilizers in the west coast of Mostaganem province. They have minimal effects on the environment, including soil, subterranean water, River and Estuary ecosystems such as Cheliff River, biodiversity and global warming.The experimental part was carried out following the method of extraction of algae and used as a bio-fertilizer on tomato to its simplicity and accuracy, which is the subject of the study of the germination, growth and the development of young plants.The results of this study showed that algal powder of Ulva lactuca and Ulva intestinalis exhibit a remarkable stimulatory effect on the cultivation of tomato, which aims to improve their production, and evident when compared to controls setup. Keywords: seaweed, Mostaganem, River Ecosystem, eco-agriculture, smart agriculture, bio-fertilizers, tomato.

Application of Seaweed Generates Changes in the Substrate and Stimulates the Growth of Tomato Plants

“…On the contrary, the SP-treatment significantly enhanced the growth and development characteristics of aerial vegetative organs in terms of length, surface area, and biomass ( Figure 3 ). Similar results due to seaweed-amended soil have been reported in tomato plants by Kumari et al [ 25 ], Baroud et al [ 20 ], and Sekhouna et al [ 69 ]. These authors suggest that enhanced shoot growth could be related to enhanced nutrient use efficiency from the soil or substrate and enhanced photosynthetic capacity.…”

“…Overall, these results agree with the macronutrient profile described for U. ohnoi biomass from land-based culture studies [ 36 , 37 ] and those of other Ulva species grown in natural environments [ 40 , 67 ]. Previous studies have proposed the use of Ulva species as liquid extract [ 19 , 40 , 67 ] or powder [ 37 , 68 , 69 ] biostimulants and biofertilizers for many agronomically important crops due to their rich content of inorganic nutrients.…”

“…Previous studies agree with our results and have reported increases in macro- (N, P, K, Mg, and Ca) and micronutrient (Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn) concentrations following Ulva spp. application in crops such as Vicia faba [ 17 ], Zea mays [ 28 ], Solanum lycopersicum [ 67 ], Vigna radiata [ 48 ], and Raphanus sativus [ 69 ]. This improvement in plant nutrient uptake due to the application of algae and algae derivatives may be attributed to the direct effects of their bioactive compounds on (i) root system development, (ii) root cell membrane permeability by the upregulation of genes encoding nutrient transporters, (iii) plant biochemical activity, and (iv) the development and physiological performance of leaves [ 14 , 22 , 74 ].…”

“…This is perhaps related to a reduction in the instantaneous mobility of the inorganic nutrients of the SE due to substrate particle adsorption and their immobilization within microbial biomass due to the resulting stimulation of fungal and bacterial growth [ 14 , 23 ]. Finally, alkaline pH values of the substrate could reduce the solubility of some minerals and consequently their bioavailability in terms of plant uptake [ 55 , 69 , 74 ].…”

“…Chlorophyll content is an accurate indicator of the overall tissue development, plant stress levels, and CO 2 uptake and is used to monitor N requirements during the crop cycle [ 35 , 75 ]. In previous studies, increases in chlorophyll content have been observed in tomato plants grown in seaweed-amended soils [ 20 , 25 , 69 ] or those treated with SEs [ 14 , 20 , 40 , 43 , 79 , 80 ]. However, SE application did not show any effect on chlorophyll content in this study.…”