Biostimulant effect of chitosan and phenolic extracts on the phenological development of the halophyte Salicornia bigelovii (Torr.)

Abstract

The agri-food production areas of global importance are the arid zones, which represent 43%. Notwithstanding this, there are factors that decrease the productivity of glycophyte crops. A global proposal is focused on generating agricultural technologies that innovate endemic agro-industrial crops (halophytes) that have a high potential for industrialization under arid and salinity conditions. The agro-industrial importance of some halophytes is on their capacity to produce fodder, vegetable oils and food for human consumption on salads and flours. In addition, its applicability has been demonstrated in industries such as cosmetology, construction, dry-pressed fiber, and above all for the recovery of areas degraded by salinization; either natural or induced by inadequate agricultural practices; which favors the rural economy. Likewise, to promote the optimal development of these novo monocultures, it is the use of vegetative stimulants of those areas, preventing the application of chemical agro-inputs in which chitosan and phenolic extracts stand out. The first, obtaining an industrial level is from crustaceans, allowing the large volumes of crustacean waste to be used in coastal areas; Its biological characteristics allow it to be elucidated as a product with a high biostimulant effect to improve the germination process in seeds, yields, the ability to adsorb plant nutrients and potentiate the defense mechanism. In relation to phenolic extracts, they are a group of important micronutrients for the human diet and are present in vegetables with different chemical structures and biological activity, and their effect has been related to a better development of plants. Based on the above, the objective of the study was to demonstrate the potential of chitosan from crustaceans and phenolic compounds from Maclura tinctoria as biostimulants in the ecophysiology of the halophyte Salicornia bigelovii. The results show that the phenological variables are promoted by chitosan and phenolic compounds, the former standing out, a ratio of 1000 ppm in all the variables analyzed, this behavior may be due to the fact that chitosan allows a better use of the water resource and better nutrient absorption, as well as the availability of Nitrogen through chitosan deficiency in the soil, which is reflected in the agronomic yields and eco-physiological variables of the plant.