Cited by 96Plant Growth Enhancement TechniquesAgriculture, Plant Science, Crop ManagementAgricultural Science and Fertilization

Effectiveness of Green Microalgae as Biostimulants and Biofertilizer through Foliar Spray and Soil Drench Method for Tomato Cultivation

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Suchithra, M.R., Muniswami, Durai Murugan, Sri, M. Suba, Usha, R., Rasheeq, A. Ahamed, Preethi, B. Antrose, Dineshkumar, R.·2022·South African Journal of Botany

Abstract

The over-use of synthetic chemical fertilizer has an adverse effect on humans. To overcome this issue, there is a need for organic farming. The present study is intended for identifying the possibilities of microalgal (Chlorella vulgaris) application on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cultivation as a suitable biofertilizer as well as biostimulant. The application of Chlorella vulgaris by foliar spray method, soil drench method with and without cowdung and control (untreated). Soil is suitable for tomato cultivation according to the soil analysis. Laboratory cultured Chlorella vulgaris enriched with carbohydrate (40.75±0.55), protein (29.56±0.72), lipids (30.20±0.25), total chlorophyll (0.531±0.42), carotenoids (0.261±0.35) and also other elements such as carbon (26.03±0.21), nitrogen (4.18±0.48), sodium (5.63±0.54) and potassium (6.94±0.17). Mixed treatment of cowdung with C. vulgaris shows enhanced growth than other groups. The higher concentration (100%) of foliar spray, C. vulgaris by soil drench and C. vulgaris + cowdung, elicits fruit length of about 8.8 ± 0.36, 10.5 ± 0.61 and 11.7 ± 0.35 cm, fruit diameter of about 13.3 ± 0.73, 14.2 ± 0.24 and 16.7 ± 0.31 cm, number of seeds/fruit of about 89±0.45, 118±0.98 and 153±0.96 g and seed weight/fruit of about 4.5 ± 0.14, 5.2 ± 0.19 and 6.5 ± 0.28 g respectively. The quality of the tomato was attributed to the increased total soluble solid of about 5.78±0.39, 6.27±0.92 and 7.09±0.75 g/100 g, total soluble sugar of about 4.30±0.76, 5.37±0.57 and 7.40±0.90 g/100 g, l-Ascorbic acid of about 14.6 ± 0.86, 17.9 ± 0.93 and 19.23±0.69 g/100 g, total protein of about 4.88±0.36, 5.82±0.88 and 6.37±0.23 g/100 g and moisture of about 94.1 ± 0.81, 95.5 ± 055 and 96.5 ± 0.42 g/100 g in foliar spray, C. vulgaris by soil drench and C. vulgaris + cowdung methods of applications respectively. There is a significant increase in mineral content such as phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium in treated fruits as compared to control. Similarly shelf life (days) of foliar spray (5.0 ± 0.19), soil drench (6.0 ± 0.55), mixed treatment (7.0 ± 0.16) was increased than control (4 ± 0.65). Among three treatments, C. vulgaris + cowdung showed better results than other treatment. Soil drench method of application shows better outcomes than foliar spray application. Microalgae Chlorella vulgaris can be applied as biofertilizer/biostimulants in tomato cultivation by replacing conventional chemical fertilizer.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.sajb.2021.12.022

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  • A mixed treatment of cow dung with C. vulgaris showed enhanced growth compared to other groups, with fruit length and diameter of about 11.7 cm and 16.7 cm, respectively; an amount of seeds/fruit of about 153 g; and a seed weight/fruit of about 6.5 g.

    “A mixed treatment of cow dung with C. vulgaris showed enhanced growth compared to the other groups: a fruit length and diameter of about 11.7 cm and 16.7 cm, respectively; an amount of seeds/fruit of about 153 g; and a seed weight/fruit of about 6.5 g.”
  • The application of C. vulgaris as a biofertilizer in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cultivation resulted in enhanced tomato plant growth and yield.

    “The application of C. vulgaris as a biofertilizer in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cultivation resulted in enhanced tomato plant growth and yield [82].”
  • The nutritional composition and shelf-life of fruits were also improved by C. vulgaris biofertilizer treatment.

    “The nutritional composition and shelf-life of fruits were also improved.”

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Authors
Suchithra, M. R., Muniswami, D. M., Sri, M. S., Usha, R., Rasheeq, A. A., Preethi, B. A., & Dineshkumar, R.
Affiliations
  • SASTRA University (IN)
  • Karpagam Academy of Higher Education (IN)
  • Karnataka Veterinary Animal and Fisheries Sciences University (IN)
  • Central Agricultural University (IN)
  • Annamalai University (IN)
Corresponding author
Dineshkumar, R.
Venue
South African Journal of Botany
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2022-05
Volume
146
Pages
740-750
ISSN
0254-6299 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4200079920
Cited by
96
References
44
Citations by year
2026: 23 · 2025: 29 · 2024: 25 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 3
FWCI
6.61
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
South African Journal of Botany (publishedVersion, cc-by)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Plant Growth Enhancement Techniques
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Agriculture, Plant Science, Crop Management
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Agricultural Science and Fertilization
Keywords
Chlorella vulgaris, green microalgae, biofertilizers, biostimulants, tomato, foliar application, soil drench, cattle manure, fruit yield, fruit quality, soluble solids, total soluble sugars, organic farming, microalgal biomass composition, nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization, synthetic fertilizer reduction, seed germination

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