Abstract
The beneficial effects of seaweed extracts have been related to plant growth regulators present in seaweeds. However, algae extracts comprise other organic compounds such as phenols, mannitol, alginates, laminarins, and fucoidans that may have a relevant role regarding abiotic stress tolerance due to nutrient deficiency. Therefore, we evaluated the individual effect of these organic compounds in a range of concentrations on the mitigation of Fe deficiency in tomato plants. Germination and plant growth promotion, root morphology, chlorophyll content, and antioxidant activity were determined. Results showed that the lowest concentration of phenolics, laminarin, and fucose compounds contributed to increasing the tolerance to Fe deficiency in tomato plants.
Highlights
The use of commercial seaweed extracts (SWEs) in agriculture is an increasingly widespread practice, since these products generally enhance plant growth and the tolerance to abiotic stresses, which are increasing due to climate change [1]
Results showed that the lowest concentration of phenolics, laminarin, and fucose compounds contributed to increasing the tolerance to Fe deficiency in tomato plants
Algae extracts comprise many organic compounds such as betaines, proteins, phenols, vitamins, vitamin precursors, plant growth regulators, mannitol, alginates, laminarins, and fucoidans [3], which are not taken into account in the proposed EC regulation, and which may have a relevant role regarding growth promotion and abiotic stress tolerance
Summary
The use of commercial seaweed extracts (SWEs) in agriculture is an increasingly widespread practice, since these products generally enhance plant growth and the tolerance to abiotic stresses, which are increasing due to climate change [1]. The information on the mode of action of these extracts is scarce. This fact, along with the high variability in the composition of these products, may reduce the confidence that farmers have in the SWEs formulations. Algae extracts comprise many organic compounds such as betaines, proteins, phenols, vitamins, vitamin precursors, plant growth regulators, mannitol, alginates, laminarins, and fucoidans [3], which are not taken into account in the proposed EC regulation, and which may have a relevant role regarding growth promotion and abiotic stress tolerance
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