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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 12 No. sp3 (2025): Advances in Plant Health Improvement for Sustainable Agriculture

Unleashing the power of seaweed biostimulants to improve seedling vigour in green gram (Vigna radiata)

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.9300
Submitted
5 May 2025
Published
05-06-2025

Abstract

Seaweed extracts enhance plant growth and yield by improving physiological and biochemical traits in plants. This study was conducted at the Department of Crop Physiology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, to evaluate the effects of seaweed derived liquid extracts (SLEs) derived from Ulva lactuca, Kappaphycus alvarezii and Sargassum wightii on seedling vigour in green gram (Vigna radiata). Seeds were treated with 2 % and 5 % SLEs, prepared as aqueous and alkaline extracts and various parameters associated with seed germination and seedling growth were assessed. Among the treatments, 2 % SLEs from Ulva lactuca and Kappaphycus alvarezii were effective in terms of higher germination percentage, reduced mean germination time, improved germination index and superior seedling vigour. In addition, SLE treated seeds displayed improved root and shoot growth, with higher fresh and dry weights, indicating the positive effects of the seaweed extracts. Further, 5 % aqueous and alkaline extracts treated seeds showed reduced growth compared to the 2 % SLEs. These findings underscore the importance of optimized seaweed biostimulants in enhancing early seedling growth of green gram, advancing sustainable agricultural practices with reduced reliance on chemical fertilizers. Subsequently, the most effective treatments were selected for further experiments involving seedlings treated with the same seaweed species and additional combinations. Among these, 3 % SLE combinations of both aqueous and alkaline extracts and 2 % aqueous SLEs particularly from Kappaphycus alvarezii and Ulva lactuca, demonstrated improved seedling establishment.

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