Effect of seaweed liquid extract as an organic biostimulant on the growth, fatty acids and high-value pigment production of Vigna radiata

Seaweeds are an important component of the marine ecosystem and that can operate as an organic biostimulant for terrestrial plants. The biochemical ingredients of seaweed liquid organic biostimulant (SLB) produced plant have been improved, and their demand has recently increased due to multiple by-products. The present study deals with the effect of seaweed liquid organic biostimulant derived from Turbinaria ornata, Sargassum wightii and Halimeda opuntia at different doses like 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 100% on the growth and biochemical profile changes of common edible grain Vigna radiata. According to the findings, 20% of SLB from H. opuntia show the highest growth, proximate compositions, mineral contents, fatty and amino acid contents in V. radiata. The seed germination was obtained maximum in 20% SLB soaked seeds of V. radiata. The fatty acid contents were observed high in H. opuntia fertiliser fed V. radiata; palmitic acid (281.2 +/- 0.04 mg/100 g) was found to be maximum in all treatment grown V. radiata. Saponins and terpenoids were highly present in T. ornata and S. wightii grown VR plant. The highest plant length (31.3 cm) was observed in T. ornata and lowest (17.1 cm) in S. wightii grown plants. Chlorophyll-a and b concentration was increased significantly (p < 0.01; p < 0.03) in T. ornata extract. The carotenoid content was increased significantly in S. wightii extract and decreased (p < 0.04) in chemical fertiliser grown plant V. radiata. The highest antioxidant activity (6.80 +/- 0.01 mg/l) was observed in HO fed VR and the lowest (4.317 +/- 0.03 mg/l) was recorded in TO fed VR. This technique can be used in organic farming for sustainable agriculture, which is a better alternative as an environmentally friendly approach. The current study revealed that SLB had certain environmental advantages over chemical fertilisers. Seaweed liquid organic biostimulant, if used on a wider scale, might have a substantial positive environmental influence on agricultural production. Seaweed extract with superior benefits at lower concentrations should be used at very high dilution rates in the agricultural field to increase seed germination rates while without impacting the native beneficial microorganisms present in the soil.

Automated summary

Seaweeds can serve as organic biostimulants for terrestrial plants. In this study, seaweed liquid organic biostimulants derived from Turbinaria ornata, Sargassum wightii and Halimeda opuntia were used to investigate their effects on the growth and biochemical profile of Vigna radiata. The findings showed that a 20% seaweed liquid organic biostimulant from H. opuntia had the highest impact on the growth and compositional changes of V. radiata. H. opuntia fertilizer also led to higher fatty acid contents in V. radiata. Additionally, T. ornata and S. wightii plants contained high levels of saponins and terpenoids. The study suggests that seaweed liquid organic biostimulants have potential environmental advantages over chemical fertilizers, and their use could have a positive impact on agricultural production.