Abstract
The present study aimed to evaluate the potentiality of three seaweeds, which belong to different algal taxa (green alga Ulva lactuca Linnaeus, brown alga Cystoseira spp., and red alga Gelidium crinale (Hare ex Turner) Gaillon) as bio-fertilizers to improve the growth and yield of canola (Brassica napus L.) plants under greenhouse conditions. Furthermore, the impact of seaweeds in alleviating the effects of salt stress (75 and 150 mM NaCl) on canola plants was also investigated. The three examined seaweeds (applied as soil amendments) successfully alleviated the harmful effects of salinity on canola plants by significantly reducing the inhibition of chlorophyll a, b, total carbohydrate accumulation, and growth promoting hormones, while increasing antioxidative compounds, such as phenols, flavonoids, anthocyanin, and osmoprotectants, including total carbohydrates and proline. Phytochemical analysis of the three examined seaweeds suggests that their stimulatory effect on growth and productivity under normal and salinity growth conditions may be linked to their constituents of a wide variety of growth promotive hormones, including indole acetic acid, indole butyric acid, gibberellic acid, cytokinins, total carbohydrates, and phenolic compounds. U. lactuca was found to be the best candidate to be used as a bio-fertilizer to improve canola growth, yield, and salt stress tolerance.
Highlights
IntroductionMacro- aquatic algae belonging to the plant kingdom [1]
Seaweeds are thallophytic, macro- aquatic algae belonging to the plant kingdom [1]
Phytochemical analyses of the three examined seaweeds revealed that U. lactuca had the highest glycerol and proline content in comparison to those detected in Cystoseira spp. and G. crinale
Summary
Macro- aquatic algae belonging to the plant kingdom [1]. Seaweeds have the ability to flourish within a large range of extreme environmental habitats. Seaweeds are regarded as a treasure trove of untapped natural biologically active compounds [3]. They have been used as renewable quality and quantitative bio-resources in sustainable botanical applications [4]. Pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides give immediate results; their continuous use has an adverse impact on the quality of the soil, the beneficial soil microbial communities, the soil’s fertility, and on the plants cultivated in these soils
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