Abstract
Modern agriculture must be subject to some adaptation processes due to unpredictable climate changes. One of the activities that enables the production of plant biomass in adverse climatic conditions is the development of ecological and innovative crop technologies using natural plant extracts. The elimination of synthetic fertilizers and their replacement with products based on organic matter will increase the plant’s resistance to negative conditions of environmental stress, will have a positive effect on the development and yielding of plants and will reduce cultivation costs. The plant material: willow (Salix viminalis), Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) and Virginia mallow (Sida hermaphrodita). The natural extract was obtained from Navicula sp. (Bacillariophyceae) monocultures, which was applied to plants in three variants: watering, spraying (foliar application) and watering and spraying. Every 2 weeks: plant height and chlorophyll content index were determined and at the end of the growing season, an analysis was made of: fresh and dry biomass, gas exchange activity in plants (net photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductivity and intercellular CO2 concentration). The enzymatic activity of acid (pH = 6.0) and alkaline (pH = 7.5) phosphatase, RNase, dehydrogenases, as well as the integrity of cytoplasmic membranes was determined. The obtained results confirmed the positive effect of diatom monoculture extract on the growth and development of the plants. The analyzed physicochemical parameters were characterized by 15–20% higher values in comparison with the control. The use of natural extracts from Navicula sp. can be an alternative to chemical fertilizers and is considered one of the promising strategies in organic agriculture.
Highlights
Limiting the use of chemical fertilizers in agriculture due to their negative impact on the environment and human health is one of the priority assumptions of modern, sustainableCommunicated by P
The aim of the study was (1) analysis of the growth and metabolic activity of energy plants (Salix viminalis, Helianthus tuberosus, Sida hermaphrodita) grown under the conditions simulating climate change and treated with an extract obtained from diatoms (2) assessment of the usefulness of diatoms as a source of natural silicon in agro
The obtained test results confirmed the positive effect of the Navicula sp. monoculture mixture on the growth and development of energy plants of all three species
Summary
Limiting the use of chemical fertilizers in agriculture due to their negative impact on the environment and human health is one of the priority assumptions of modern, sustainableCommunicated by P. Limiting the use of chemical fertilizers in agriculture due to their negative impact on the environment and human health is one of the priority assumptions of modern, sustainable. The latest regulation of the European Parliament from June 2019 radically changes the approach in the use and production of artificial fertilizers in the European Union. Current contaminants in EU phosphate fertilizer products (heavy metals) may pose a threat to human and animal health, as well as all levels of the ecosystem. The conducted research and numerous literature data indicate that bio-fertilization may become an alternative to dangerous synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Their main advantage is primarily ecological and environmentally friendly origin and a positive impact on the growth, development and yielding of cultivated plants.
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