Fertilizing Effects of Ulva intestinalis Derived Bio-Stimulant Enhance Spinacea oleracea L. Production, Nutrient Fluxes and Secondary Metabolism Under NaCl Stress
Author(s)
Date Issued
2025
Type
article
Volume
25
Issue
3
Start Page
6773
End Page
6789
Abstract
Biostimulants algal powder containing beneficial bioactive compounds, signaling molecules, nutrients and essential organic minerals (AP) promote plant growth even in saline conditions.This study explores the potential of marine algae Ulva intestinalis as a biostimulant to improve seed germination, growth, nutrient fluxes, and antioxidant defense in Spinacia oleracea L. (spinach) under saline stress. Seeds were germinated in soil supplemented with 3 and 6 g of algal powder under treated with three 0, 80, and 120 mM NaCl to asses the ecophysiological paramtres of study plant. Plant treated with the 6 g algal powder stimulated the number of leaves, shoot length and root; ength at 120 mM NaCl compare to control. Plant fresh and dry biomass were optimum in salinity and algal pwders algal powder application in comparsion to control. Electrolyte leackage was higher in control and salinity treated plants and ranged as 34–91% especially those with no algal powder application. Maximum chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents was observed in plants treated with 6 g of algal powder at 120 mM NaCL as compared to other treatments. Higher flavonoid, protein, carbohydrate and phenolic contents were observed in plants treated with algal powder under saline and non-saline conditions as compared to control. Leaf potassium calcium and magnesium was higher in those plants treated with the applied algal powder while sodium was decreased in the same treatments under saline conditions. Leaf was increased in saline conditions especially in 120 mM NaCl treatment with 6 g of algal powder. Leaf was stimualted in those plants grown umder either 3 or 6 gm of seeweed powder as compared to untreated ones. The heatmap data showed that 6 g seaweed application exhibited the maximum positive correlation with most of the studied paramtres and indicated the critical role of algal powder in improving stress tolerance. Algal powder application enhances spinach growth by promoting efficient nutrient fluxes and antioxidant defense mechanisms, suggesting its potential use for improving crop resilience in saline agricultural environments.