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Cited by 64Plant Growth Enhancement TechniquesAgriculture, Plant Science, Crop ManagementPlant Growth and Agriculture Techniques

Foliar Spray Application of Chlorella vulgaris Extract: Effect on the Growth of Lettuce Seedlings

Open access
La Bella, Emanuele, Baglieri, Andrea, Rovetto, Ermes Ivan, Stevanato, Piergiorgio, Puglisi, Ivana·2021·Agronomy
DOI 10.3390/agronomy11020308
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Abstract

Lettuce seedlings often require the use of fertilizers for their cultivation management to achieve appropriate yield. However, for eco-sustainable chemical-fertilizers-free agronomy, the implementation of totally organic farming often cannot support lettuce productivity, therefore new natural biostimulants able to increase lettuce yield could be considered of great interest. In this preliminary work, the foliar spray application of a Chlorella vulgaris extract in lettuce seedlings was investigated in order to achieve better yield performance. Its biostimulant effect was evaluated by monitoring the morphobiometric parameters, chlorophylls, carotenoids, total protein contents, and several enzymatic activities involved in primary and secondary metabolisms of the plant. The experimental trials were carried out by growing lettuce seedlings on inert substrate (pumice) with a 16 h photoperiod for 21 days. The treatment consisted of three consecutive applications by foliar spraying using a concentration of the C. vulgaris extract, corresponding to 1 mg Corg L−1, which were performed one week apart. The results showed that the C. vulgaris extract positively influenced the growth of lettuce seedlings, by increasing the fresh and dry weights, chlorophylls, carotenoids, protein content, and ashes at shoot level. From a biochemical point of view, primary and secondary metabolisms of shoots, in particular nitrogen metabolism, were positively influenced. At the root level, the extract increased dry matter, proteins, and ash content.

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Crossref · 10.3390/agronomy11020308

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  • A foliar spray application of C. vulgaris extract positively influenced the growth of lettuce seedlings, by increasing the fresh and dry weights, chlorophylls, carotenoids, protein content, and ashes at the shoot level.

    “a foliar spray application of C. vulgaris extract positively influenced the growth of lettuce seedlings, by increasing the fresh and dry weights, chlorophylls, carotenoids, protein content, and ashes at the shoot level [84].”

    From Emerging Applications of Chlorella sp. and Spirulina (Arthrospira) sp. (2023) · cites this paper as [84]

  • At the root level, the C. vulgaris extract increased dry matter, proteins, and ash content.

    “At the root level, the extract increased dry matter, proteins, and ash content.”

    From Emerging Applications of Chlorella sp. and Spirulina (Arthrospira) sp. (2023) · cites this paper as [84]

  • The primary and secondary metabolisms of shoots, in particular the nitrogen metabolism, were positively influenced by C. vulgaris extract.

    “Additionally, the primary and secondary metabolisms of shoots, in particular the nitrogen metabolism, were positively influenced.”

    From Emerging Applications of Chlorella sp. and Spirulina (Arthrospira) sp. (2023) · cites this paper as [84]

  • Traditional wastewater treatment systems are often expensive and energy-intensive and still fall short in addressing all wastewater-related issues.

    “Traditional treatment systems, while often expensive and energy-intensive, still fall short in addressing all wastewater-related issues [84].”

    From Emerging Applications of Chlorella sp. and Spirulina (Arthrospira) sp. (2023) · cites this paper as [84]

    The Introduction and Conclusions (page not available) discuss microalgal biostimulants and lettuce growth, not wastewater treatment systems. Searches for traditional wastewater treatment and its cost, energy use, and limitations found no passage in our copy addressing the claim. (LLM, conf=0.76)

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Taiz, L.; Zeiger, E.; Møller, I.M.; Murphy, A. Plant Physiology and Development, 6th ed.; Sinauer Associates, Oxford University Press: Oxford, UK, 2018.

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Authors
La Bella, E., Baglieri, A., Rovetto, E. I., Stevanato, P., & Puglisi, I.
Affiliations
  • Dipartimento di Agricoltura, Alimentazione e Ambiente (Di3A), Università di Catania, Via S. Sofia 98, 95123 Catania, Italy
  • University of Catania (IT)
  • University of Padua (IT)
Corresponding author
Baglieri, Andrea
ORCID
Venue
Agronomy
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2021-02-09
Volume
11
Issue
2
Pages
308
ISSN
2073-4395 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/agronomy11020308
OpenAlex
W3127869314
Cited by
64
References
46
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 23 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 1
FWCI
5.26
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Agronomy (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Padua Research Archive (University of Padova) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
Università di Catania
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 › Plant Growth and Agriculture Techniques
Keywords
foliar application, lettuce seedlings, biostimulants, plant growth promotion, chlorophyll, carotenoids, protein content, nitrogen metabolism, enzyme activity, organic farming

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