An evaluation of Sargassum seaweed media compositions on the performance of hot pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) seedling production

Marcus N.A Ramdwar,Brandon S Abraham,Valerie A Stoute,Manuel Tejada Moral

doi:10.1080/23311932.2016.1263428

Abstract

AbstractThere has been a massive influx of Sargassum in the Caribbean causing devastating consequences. The current study investigated the utilization of Sargassum (a mixture of the Sargassum flutens and Sargassum natans species) as a substrate formulated with imported promix. Experiments were conducted during April to May in 2016 to evaluate the performance and quality of hot pepper seedlings using Sargassum-promix formulations. The seedlings were visually evaluated on the 45th day after sowing by an independent panel to visually score seedling quality. At the same time, the sample mean and standard deviation were calculated for each of nine seedling physical characteristics. A one-way MANOVA analysis, with formulation ratio as the independent variable and these nine characteristics as correlated dependent variables, was carried out using SPSS V.22. Introducing Sargassum into the formulation caused statistically significant differences in the majority of the seedling characteristics. However, these actua...

Highlights

Seaweed is regarded as an underutilized bio-resource leading to many questions about its potential for utilization in agriculture and other areas of economic activity (Ashtalakshmi & Prabakaran, 2015)
The results presented demonstrate that Sargassum has the potential for reducing the reliance on 100% promix for seedling production thereby possibly reducing the environmental burden attributed to the demand for harvesting peat from wetlands
Conclusion and future prospects The use of Sargassum in the formulations with promix has proven to be effective for the commercial production of hot pepper seedlings based on the parameters investigated

Summary

Introduction

Seaweed is regarded as an underutilized bio-resource leading to many questions about its potential for utilization in agriculture and other areas of economic activity (Ashtalakshmi & Prabakaran, 2015). As natural regulators, have induced increased crop yield and plant vigor to withstand adverse environmental effects (Anisimov & Chaikina, 2014). These extracts contain all major and minor plant nutrients, including those with bio-control properties. They contain organic compounds such as auxins, gibberellins, and precursors of ethylene and betaine, which impact plant growth (Durand, Briand, & Meyer, 2003; Ördög, Stirk, Van Staden, Novák, & Strnad, 2004; Stirk, Novák, & Strnad, 2003). The mineral fraction of some seaweed species can account for up to 40% of dry matter (Krishnaiah, Sarbatly, Prasad, & Bono, 2008)

Methods

Results

Conclusion