Abstract
An innovative horticulture nutrient and biodegradable support is described in this paper for replacing plastic culture pots. This support is prepared with Luffa aegyptica, plant having a water holding capacity higher than that of the regular soil and that is also biodegradable. Brown seaweed Padina pavonica was incorporated as an organic fertilizer of plant growth. Chemical analysis of the aqueous extract of this alga showed the presence of macronutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) necessary for development and growth of plants. Agar-agar was added as a solidifying agent. A medium containing only soil and another containing soil with chemical fertilizer served as controls. Sunflower seeds grown in medium supplemented with brown seaweed; (P. pavonica + agar (4% or 6%) + L. aegyptica have a growth rate (length and diameter of the stem, number of leaves) that is slower than the plants grown in a medium with a comparable amount of the soil with chemical fertilizer. However, the plants in the soil and others in the soil with chemical fertilizer and the media (seaweed + L. aegyptica + agar 4%) have not completed their growth while the plants grown in the media (seaweed + L. aegyptica + agar 6%) continued to grow. A biodegradability test showed that a piece of support (seaweed + agar 1.5% + L. aegyptica) presented a degradation rate higher than the support with only Luffa and agar 1.5%, while a piece of plastic had not degraded. The results of our study have shown that this support has helped to extend the duration of growth and enhanced the quality of the plants. Ultimately, the fabricated support presented fertilizer properties, water retention and biodegradability and could serve in horticulture as an alternative to plastic pots and chemical fertilizer. Key words: Brown seaweed, Padina pavonica, Biostimulant, Luffa, water retention, biodegradability.
Highlights
Chemical fertilizers are not sufficient to procure alone all the minerals and nutrients required by the plant: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and other trace elements
P. pavonica nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, S) composition is not negligible compared to other brown seaweed; S. wightii, Pp+Luffa+Agar 4%
The growth of sunflower plants was lower in media containing P. pavonica + Luffa + Agar compared to the growth of plants in the soil with chemical fertilizer and in the soil only
Summary
Chemical fertilizers are not sufficient to procure alone all the minerals and nutrients required by the plant: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and other trace elements. Chemical fertilizers are not compatible with organic farming and have adverse effects on health and the environment. In addition to their high cost, they alter the quality, fertility, structure and humus of the soil. Modern agriculture is looking for new biotechnological advances that would allow a reduction in the use of chemical inputs without affecting crop yield or the farmer’s income. The use of natural seaweed as fertilizer has allowed for substitution in place of conventional synthetic fertilizer (Hong et al, 2007). The agricultural sector is by far the largest user of water in the world.
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