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Economical probing of Chaetomorpha aerea seaweed biostimulant and harnessing its growth sustainability potential on Arachis hypogaea L.

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Abstract

Current research breakdown explored the green seaweed Chaetomorpha aerea-based natural biostimulants as agricultural enhancers to improve the outputs of Arachis hypogaea. A pot experiment was conducted over a period of 12 days. Different concentrations of biostimulants were used, ranging from 1 to 5 kg, along with a control group. A fertiliser mix (NPK) was added to ensure optimal nutrient availability. Furthermore, field studies were conducted to evaluate the outputs for up to 120 days. Morphological profiles, including shoot longitude, spring shoot, overall leaves, root length, root branch, total plant height, and seed percentage, were measured. The experimentation revealed significant improvements in the growth and yield of Arachis hypogaea when treated with Chaetomorpha aerea-based biostimulants. The longest shoots and roots measured were 30.2 cm and 19.2 cm, respectively. The total height of the treated plants reached 49.4 cm, and the seeds treated with green algae exhibited a 100% germination rate. These findings highlight the effectiveness of Chaetomorpha aerea in promoting plant growth and enhancing crop yield. In addition to the morphological measurements, biochemical analysis was conducted to understand the active compounds in Chaetomorpha aerea. Osmo-regulators, plant growth hormones, vitamins, and amino acids were analysed to determine their role in promoting plant growth and development. Furthermore, mineral assessment was conducted using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) to understand the nutrient composition of the biostimulant. FTIR was used to assess the alcoholic compounds and amine functional groups. The antibacterial efficacy of Chaetomorpha aerea-based biostimulants was assessed against common plant pathogens, including Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results showed a significant inhibition of bacterial growth, with a zone of inhibition measuring 13 mm and 11 mm in Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. This suggests that Chaetomorpha aerea-based biostimulants can potentially control bacterial infections in crops. Furthermore, the in vivo-antioxidant activity of the biostimulant was measured using the DPPH radical scavenging activity method. The results showed a scavenging activity of 68.46% at a concentration of 150 µg/mL. This indicates that Chaetomorpha aerea-based biostimulants possess antioxidant properties that can help protect plants from oxidative stress and improve overall plant health. With its eco-friendly and sustainable nature, Chaetomorpha aerea-inspired biostimulants hold great promise for the future of agriculture. Embracing these natural alternatives can not only contribute to increased crop productivity but also help protect the environment and promote sustainable farming practices.

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Acknowledgements

The author is thankful to the Department of Botany, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli-24 Tamil Nadu, India, for providing the necessary lab facilities during the experimental study.

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  1. Department of Botany, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli-24, Tamil Nadu, India

    S. R. Sivakumar

  2. Department of Microbiology, Vivekanandha Arts and Science College for Women, Sankagiri- 637 303, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India

    Mythili Ravichandran & R. Dineshkumar

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S. R. Sivakumar conceived, designed research, conducted experiments, analysed, and wrote the whole manuscript; he has read and approved the manuscript.

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Sivakumar, S.R., Ravichandran, M. & Dineshkumar, R. Economical probing of Chaetomorpha aerea seaweed biostimulant and harnessing its growth sustainability potential on Arachis hypogaea L.. Biomass Conv. Bioref. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-024-05574-6

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