Effect of microalgae hydrolysate foliar application (Arthrospira platensis and Scenedesmus sp.) on Petunia x hybrida growth

• Published in: Journal of applied phycology Vol. 30; no. 4; pp. 2359 - 2365
• Main Authors: Plaza, Blanca Maria, Gómez-Serrano, Cintia, Acién-Fernández, Francisco Gabriel, Jimenez-Becker, Silvia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.08.2018; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Algae; Arthrospira; Arthrospira platensis; Biomedical and Life Sciences; biometry; Body organs; Dry matter; Dry weight; early development; Ecology; Flowering; Flowers; foliar application; Foliar applications; Freshwater & Marine Ecology; horticulture; Hydrolysates; Leaves; Life Sciences; Microalgae; Mineral nutrients; Moisture content; Nutrient concentrations; nutrient content; Nutrient status; Organs; petioles; Petunia; Photosynthesis; plant development; Plant growth; plant nutrition; Plant Physiology; Plant Sciences; Plants; root growth; Scenedesmus; Spraying; Tissue; Transplantation; Water content; Weight reduction; Flowering; Leaf nutrient concentration; Hormones; Number of shoots; Number of leaves
• ISSN: 0921-8971; 1573-5176
• DOI: 10.1007/s10811-018-1427-0

In horticultural practice accelerated plant development and particularly earlier flowering, has been reported with microalgae applications. Therefore, the objective of this work was to study the effects of foliar spraying with Scenedesmu s sp. and Arthrospira platensis hydrolysates on Petunia x hybrida plant development and leaf nutrient status. Three treatments were tested: T1 (foliar application with water, the control), T2 (foliar application with Arthrospira ), and T3 (foliar application with Scenedesmus ). Foliar spraying was applied five times (0, 14, 28, 35, and 42 days after transplanting). The concentration of both microalgae was 10 g L −1 . At the end of the trial biometric parameters and nutrient concentration in photosynthetic organs (the leaves) were measured. The results of this assay show that foliar application of Scenedesmus accelerated plant development in terms of higher rates of root growth, leaf and shoot development, and earliness of flowering. Arthrospira enhanced the root dry matter, the number of flowers per plant, and the water content. Nevertheless, a reduction was found in the conductive tissue (stem + petiole) dry weight with Arthrospira compared with Scenedesmus and the control. The results also show that microalgae hydrolysate supply can improve the plant nutrient status. Based on these results, it is advisable to use Scenedesmus hydrolysates in foliar applications to increase the blooming of Petunia x hybrida .