The effect of seaweed extract on tomato plant growth, productivity and soil

• Published in: Journal of applied phycology Vol. 33; no. 2; pp. 1305 - 1314
• Main Authors: Hussain, Hashmath Inayath, Kasinadhuni, Naga, Arioli, Tony
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.04.2021; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Algae; algology; Ascophyllum nodosum; Bacteria; bacterial communities; Biological effects; Biology; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Community composition; Dry weight; Durvillaea; Ecology; ecosystems; Flowers; Flowers & plants; Food production; Freshwater & Marine Ecology; fruits; Life Sciences; nitrogen; Plant extracts; Plant growth; Plant Physiology; Plant Sciences; Plants (botany); plate count; Productivity; rhizosphere; Root zone; Seaweeds; Soil; Soil biology; Soil investigations; Soil microorganisms; soil quality; Soils; Species diversity; sustainable agriculture; Sustainable food systems; Sustainable production; Tomatoes; Productivity; Rhizosphere; Quality; Seaweed extract; Soil; Tomatoes; Microbes
• ISSN: 0921-8971; 1573-5176
• DOI: 10.1007/s10811-021-02387-2

This study investigated the effects of seaweed extract (SWE) made from the brown algae Durvillaea potatorum and Ascophyllum nodosum on plants and soil. The application of SWE to soil growing tomato plants showed dual effects. SWE comprehensively improved tomato plant growth (flower clusters, flower number, fruit number, root length, root and shoot dry weight, SPAD) and increased plant productivity (yield and quality). Similarly, SWE application effected soil biology at the soil root zone by increasing total bacterial count and available soil nitrogen and impacting bacterial community diversity with an increase in certain bacterial families linked to soil health. A broader understanding of the effects of SWE on the plant-soil ecosystem may offer breakthrough approaches for sustainable food production.