Seaweed extract of Ascophyllum nodosum applied in tomato crop as a biostimulant for improving growth, yield and soil fertility in subtropical condition

Seaweed extracts can be used in agriculture as biostimulants which present many advantages in several crops. Ascophyllum nodosum extract (ANE) is a source of phytohormones, polysaccharides and minerals which provide benefits to soil-plant system. The objective was to analyze the biostimulant response of ANE application in tomato crop, regarding morphological and yield aspects, and understand the nutrients dynamics in the soil. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design during 2020-2021 in protected environment in southern of Brazil. Three treatments were studied, besides control, ANE (0.2%) was applied to the soil (drench), and to the leaves (spray). in five times during tomato crop. ANE applications improved plant growth (plant height, stem diameter, fresh and dry mass of leaf, stem and root, leaf number, leaf area, root length and chlorophyll content), yield components (fruit quantity, fruit weight and size, bunches number and size and productivity), as well as soil fertility (dynamics of macronutrients and organic carbon). Therefore, ANE (0.2%) application in tomato crop promotes plant growth and yield components increments, being a sustainable input, which contribute to advances in agriculture. Soil applications of ANE were more effective when compared to foliar applications. However, both methods could improve soil chemical properties after cultivation.

Automated summary

Seaweed extract ANE can be used as a biostimulant in tomato crops, enhancing plant growth and yield, as well as improving soil fertility.