Tag Archives: bio-stimulant

291-305 M.N. Huda, M.A. Mannan, M.N. Bari, S.M. Rafiquzzaman and H. Higuchi
Red seaweed liquid fertilizer increases growth, chlorophyll and yield of mungbean (Vigna radiata)
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Red seaweed liquid fertilizer increases growth, chlorophyll and yield of mungbean (Vigna radiata)

M.N. Huda¹, M.A. Mannan¹*, M.N. Bari¹, S.M. Rafiquzzaman² and H. Higuchi³

¹Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Department of Agronomy, Gazipur-1706, Bangladesh
²Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Department of Fisheries Biology & Aquatic Environment, Gazipur-1706, Bangladesh
³Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
*Corresponding author: mannanagr@bsmrau.edu.bd

Abstract:

The demand for chemical fertilizers in Bangladesh is increasing by the day. Seaweed extracts are high in a variety of bioactive substances that can be used as a biostimulant as an alternative to agricultural plants. To assess the impact of foliar spraying of red seaweed (Gracilaria tenuistipitata var. liui) extracts at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25% concentrationsin comparison to the control condition (water spray only) and soil application of recommended doses of fertilizer (RDF) as basal on growth, chlorophyll and yield of mungbean variety BU mug5, a pot experiment was conducted at the Department of Agronomy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur, Bangladesh during Kharif-1 season (March to May 2021). Seven (7) treatments: T1 – Control (foliar spray using water), T2 – Recommended doses of fertilizers (RDF) as basal, T3 – Foliar spray of 5% seaweed extracts, T4 – Foliar spray of 10% seaweed extracts, T5 – Foliar spray of 15% seaweed extracts, T6 – Foliar spray of 20% seaweed extracts and T7 – Foliar spray of 25% seaweed extracts were imposed following completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. The results revealed that seaweed liquid fertilizer at 20% concentration increased leaf area, total dry matter and chlorophyll (SPAD value) by 25.00, 40.21 and 9.11% over the control and 15.42, 8.27 and 2.08% compared to RDF, respectively. Seed yield increased by 93.14% when compared to a control with 20% seaweed foliar spray, and by 9.04%, when compared to RDF. Foliar application of 20% seaweed liquid fertilizer performed best among the treatments in terms of mungbean growth and yield, according to findings of the experiment. The results of this study suggest that red seaweed extracts from Gracilaria tenuistipitata var. liui may be used as a fertilizer to reduce the chemical fertilizer to boost mungbean yield.

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850–861 K. Stankevica, Z. Vincevica-Gaile and M. Klavins
Role of humic substances in agriculture and variability of their content in freshwater lake sapropel
Abstract |

Role of humic substances in agriculture and variability of their content in freshwater lake sapropel

K. Stankevica*, Z. Vincevica-Gaile and M. Klavins

University of Latvia, Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences, Department of Environmental Science, Jelgavas street 1, LV-1004, Riga
*Correspondence: karina.stankevica@lu.lv

Abstract:

The term ‘humic substances’ (HS) refers to a general category of naturally occurring, biogenic, heterogeneous organic substances. They create the most widespread natural organic matter found in sediments, soils and waters. Organic carbon in soil (up to 70%) and peat (up to 90%) usually occurs in the form of HS. HS influence the formation process of fossil fuels, as well as they are involved in the plant nutrition process, have an influence on availability and toxicity of metallic and other elements. Furthermore, HS play a significant role in the global carbon geochemical cycle. Properties and application efficiency of humus depend on the source of HS. Freshwater sapropel is a huge reservoir of HS with superior biological activity, although their total content is lower than in peat. The aim of this paper, firstly, was to present the information about the options of HS in agriculture and their main effects on plant growth. Secondly, determination and characterization of HS content in freshwater lake sapropel was performed as sapropel nowadays becomes a popular natural organic-mineral fertilizer and soil conditioner. Sapropel samples were derived from Lake Pilvelis, Lake Pilcines, Lake Vevers, Lake Liducis and Lake Padelis situated in Eastern Latvia. Investigation of HS content in sapropel is significant for the Baltic States and Northern Europe due to wide distribution and availability of sapropel in freshwater bodies. That promotes a search for new ways of extraction methods and bioeconomically effective utilization of this natural resource, obtainable in economically significant amounts, with high opportunities of its use especially in agriculture. Contemporary agriculture strongly desiderates in new products of high effectivity enhancing soil and crop productivity and quality hand in hand with sustainable development and careful attitude to the nature and surrounding environment, thus, one of the ways how it can be achieved is understanding how, where and how much HS preparations can be applied.

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