Synergistic effect of seaweed extract and boric acid and/or calcium chloride on productivity and physico-chemical properties of Valencia orange

Many citrus species and cultivars are grown successfully in tropical and subtropical countries, as well as in arid and semi-arid regions with low levels of organic matter and low cation exchange, resulting in lower nutrient uptake by the plant. The essential nutrients needed for citrus flowering and fruit set are limited in winter due to a reduction in transpiration rate, negatively effecting vegetative growth, flowering, yield, and fruit quality. The present investigation was carried out to assess the nutritional status, fruit yield parameters, and fruit quality of Valencia orange trees after foliar spraying of seaweed extract (SW) combined with calcium chloride and boric acid and their combinations in the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 seasons. The treatments were arranged in a split-plot design (three levels spraying seaweed extract × four levels spraying calcium chloride and boric acid and their combinations × four replicates × one tree/replicate). The results indicated that all of the characteristics measured, including leaf chlorophyll, leaf mineral contents, fruit yield parameters, fruit physical properties, and fruit chemical properties, were significantly affected by the foliar spraying of seaweed extract (SW) combined with calcium chloride and boric acid and their combinations. Although all treatments increased the productivity and the physical and chemical properties of Valencia orange fruits compared to the control, a treatment of 10 g/L SW combined with 0.5 g/L boric acid and 1 g/L calcium chloride produced superior results. This ratio of SW, boric acid, and calcium chloride is therefore recommended to enhance productivity and improve the physico-chemical properties of Valencia orange for greater fruit yield.

Denovo production of resveratrol by engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae W303-1a using pretreated Gracilaria corticata extracts

OBJECTIVE

Assembly and construction of resveratrol production pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae for denovo production of resveratrol using seaweed extract as fermentation medium.

RESULTS

Genes involved in the production of resveratrol from tyrosine pathway, tyrosine ammonia lyase (FTAL) gene from Flavobacterium johnsoniae (FjTAL), the 4-coumarate:CoA ligase gene from Arabidopsis thaliana (4CL1) and the stilbene synthase gene from Vitis vinifera (VvSTS) were introduced into low copy, high copy and integrative vector and transformed into S. cerevisiae W303-1a. The resulting strains W303-1a/pARS-res5, W303-1a/2µ-res1 and W303-1a/IntUra-res9 produced a level of 2.39 ± 0.01, 3.33 ± 0.03 and 8.34 ± 0.03 mg resveratrol l-1 respectively. CRISPR mediated integration at the δ locus resulted in 17.13 ± 1.1 mg resveratrol l-1. Gracilaria corticata extract was tested as a substrate for the growth of transformant to produce resveratrol. The strain produced a comparable level, 13.6 ± 0.54 mg resveratrol l-1 when grown in seaweed extract medium.

CONCLUSIONS

The strain W303-1a/IntδC-res1 utilized Gracillaria hydrolysate and produced 13.6 ± 0.54 mg resveratrol l-1 and further investigations are being carried out focusing on pathway engineering and optimization of process parameters to enhance resveratrol yield.

Plant growth regulator extracts from seaweeds promote plant growth and confer drought tolerance in canola (Brassica napus)

Brassica napus, commonly known as canola, is an important oilseed crop in Canada contributing over $29.9 billion CAD to the Canadian economy annually. A major challenge facing Canadian canola is drought, which has become increasingly prevalent in recent years due to the changing climate. Research investigating novel agronomic techniques in mitigating drought is key to securing yields and sustainability in canola and other crops. One such technique is the use of bio-stimulant sprays to help offset biotic and abiotic stresses in plants through promoting stand establishment. Previous studies have shown that the application of seaweed extracts as bio-stimulant sprays to Brassicaceae has been successful in improving plant growth and development along with stress tolerance. However, this method has yet to be tested on canola. The organic nutrients that are waste products from processed seaweed help stimulate plant growth, yielding higher quality plants as a result. In association with Le Groupe Roullier, this study demonstrates that the Roullier extracts (RE) help increase plant growth characteristics and drought tolerance in canola when sprayed 3 times over a 3-week period. A high yielding but drought sensitive mutant of canola, d14 (developed through gene editing) was used for drought assays after 8 weeks of growth and where water was withheld for 6 days. Application of the REs prior to drought resulted in plants having enhanced survival rate and improved biomass retention indicating high drought tolerance. Subsequent RNA sequencing and gene ontological term analysis performed using RE treated plants in triplicates, revealed substantial levels of differential expression of growth-related genes along with stress-related genes. These REs elicited responses in plants that had previously only been achieved through gene editing and transgenic methodologies. Using bio-stimulant sprays provides a novel platform to promote beneficial agronomic traits, independent of genetic manipulation.

Plant growth regulators affecting canola (Brasica Napus L.) biochemistry including oil yield under drought stress

The objective was to test the effects of PGR on canola (Brassica napus L.) biochemistry including oil yield under drought stress. A two-year (Y1 and Y2) split plot field experiment on the basis of a randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted. The main factor was, drought stress levels, including irrigation after a reduction of 40 (D1), 60 (D2) and 80% (D3) of field capacity (FC) moisture, and the sub-factor was PGR including control (S1), soil application of humic acid (S2), foliar applications of amino acid (S3), fulvic acid (S4) or seaweed extract (S5), and the combination of all PGR (S6). Although drought stress significantly decreased plant chlorophyll contents (a, b and total), oil percentage and oil yield, PGR significantly increased them. The D3 treatment, compared with control, decreased crop oil yield by 48.67 and 35.29% in the first and second year, respectively. However, treatment Y2D3S6 significantly increased oil percentage (43.10%) compared with control (40.97%). The PGR increased seed oil yield, in D3, by a maximum of 254 kg ha-1. The PGR numerically (p ≤ 0.0886) increased proline to 6.14 mg  g-1 LFW (Y1D3S6) compared with control (4.79 mg g-1 LFW). The PGR also significantly increased sugar content to 17.05 mg g-1 LFW, significantly different from the control (12.95 mg g-1 LFW). In conclusion, the tested PGR can improve the biochemical properties (quality) including oil yield of canola in drought stress conditions, which is of economic and health significance.

Biostimulant red seaweed (Gracilaria tenuistipitata var. liui) extracts spray improves yield and drought tolerance in soybean

Drought has a deleterious impact on the growth, physiology, and yield of various plants, including soybean. Seaweed extracts are rich in various bioactive compounds, including antioxidants, and can be used as biostimulants for improving yield and alleviating the adverse effect of drought stress. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of soybean growth and yield with different concentrations (0.0%, 5.0%, and 10.0% v/v) of water extracts of the red seaweed Gracilaria tenuistipitata var. liui under well-watered (80% of field capacity (FC) and drought (40% of FC)) conditions. Drought stress decreased soybean grain yield by 45.58% compared to well-watered circumstances but increased the water saturation deficit by 37.87%. It also decreased leaf water, chlorophyll content, plant height, and the fresh weight of the leaf, stem, and petiole. Drought stress decreased soybean grain yield by 45.58% compared to well-watered circumstances but increased the water saturation deficit by 37.87%. It also decreased leaf water, chlorophyll content, plant height, and the fresh weight of the leaf, stem, and petiole. Under both drought and well-watered situations, foliar application of seaweed extracts dramatically improved soybean growth and production. Under drought and well-watered situations, 10.0% seaweed extract increased grain yield by 54.87% and 23.97%, respectively in comparison to untreated plants. The results of this study suggest that red seaweed extracts from Gracilaria tenuistipitata var. liui may be used as a biostimulant to improve soybean yield and drought tolerance in the presence of insufficient water. However, the actual mechanisms behind these improvements need to be further investigated in field conditions.

Alleviating Drought Stress in Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss. by Foliar Application of Biostimulants-Orthosilicic Acid and Seaweed Extract

Agricultural productivity is negatively impacted by drought stress. Brassica is an important oilseed crop, and its productivity is often limited by drought. Biostimulants are known for their role in plant growth promotion, increased yields, and tolerance to environmental stresses. Silicon in its soluble form of orthosilicic acid (OSA) has been established to alleviate deteriorative effects of drought. Seaweed extract (SWE) also positively influence plant survival and provide dehydration tolerance under stressed environments. The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of OSA and SWE on mitigating adverse effects of drought stress on Brassica genotype RH-725. Foliar application of OSA (2 ml/L and 4 ml/L) and SWE of Ascophyllum nodosum (3 ml/L and 4 ml/L) in vegetative stages in Brassica variety RH 725 under irrigated and rainfed condition revealed an increase in photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpirational rate, relative water content, water potential, osmotic potential, chlorophyll fluorescence, chlorophyll stability index, total soluble sugars, total protein content, and antioxidant enzyme activity; and a decrease in canopy temperature depression, proline, glycine-betaine, H₂O₂, and MDA content. Application of 2 ml/L OSA and 3 ml/L SWE at vegetative stage presented superior morpho-physiological and biochemical characteristics and higher yields. The findings of the present study will contribute to developing a sustainable cropping system by harnessing the benefits of OSA and seaweed extract as stress mitigators.

Potential of a fucoidan-rich Ascophyllum nodosum extract to reduce Salmonella shedding and improve gastrointestinal health in weaned pigs naturally infected with Salmonella

BACKGROUND

Dietary supplementation with a fucoidan-rich Ascophyllum nodosum extract (ANE), possessing an in vitro anti-Salmonella Typhimurium activity could be a promising on-farm strategy to control Salmonella infection in pigs. The objectives of this study were to: 1) evaluate the anti-S. Typhimurium activity of ANE (containing 46.6% fucoidan, 18.6% laminarin, 10.7% mannitol, 4.6% alginate) in vitro, and; 2) compare the effects of dietary supplementation with ANE and Zinc oxide (ZnO) on growth performance, Salmonella shedding and selected gut parameters in naturally infected pigs. This was established post-weaning (newly weaned pig experiment) and following regrouping of post-weaned pigs and experimental re-infection with S. Typhimurium (challenge experiment).

RESULTS

In the in vitro assay, increasing ANE concentrations led to a linear reduction in S. Typhimurium counts (P <  0.05). In the newly weaned pig experiment (12 replicates/treatment), high ANE supplementation increased gain to feed ratio, similar to ZnO supplementation, and reduced faecal Salmonella counts on d 21 compared to the low ANE and control groups (P <  0.05). The challenge experiment included thirty-six pigs from the previous experiment that remained on their original dietary treatments (control and high ANE groups with the latter being renamed to ANE group) apart from the ZnO group which transitioned onto a control diet on d 21 (ZnO-residual group). These dietary treatments had no effect on performance, faecal scores, Salmonella shedding or colonic and caecal Salmonella counts (P > 0.05). ANE supplementation decreased the Enterobacteriaceae counts compared to the control. Enterobacteriaceae counts were also reduced in the ZnO-residual group compared to the control (P <  0.05). ANE supplementation decreased the expression of interleukin 22 and transforming growth factor beta 1 in the ileum compared to the control (P <  0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

ANE supplementation was associated with some beneficial changes in the composition of the colonic microbiota, Salmonella shedding, and the expression of inflammatory genes associated with persistent Salmonella infection.

Oral administration of Sargassum polycystum extracts stimulates immune response and increases survival against Aeromonas hydrophila infection in Oncorhynchus mykiss

This study investigated the immunomodulatory effects of Sargassum polycystum extract administration in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). S. polycystum methanolic extract was administered orally using feeding needles to individual rainbow trout at the dose of 0 (control), 1 (S1), 3 (S3) and 5 (S5) mg/100 μl/per fish twice a day for 7 days. On 1st, 5th, 3rd and 7th day, blood and tissues were collected from the fish and changes in humoral immune responses and immune-related gene expressions were determined. The result of oxidative radical production showed no difference during early stage of the experiment and was lately decreased (P < 0.05). Lysozyme activity increased on 3rd and 7th day of the study in S5 fish group and on 5th day in S3 group compared to control (P < 0.05). Myeloperoxidase activity had an increased level on the 1st and 3rd day in S1, S5 and S5 fish groups, respectively. IL-1β gene was significantly up-regulated in kidney and intestine in all experimental groups (except on the 1st day, in the intestine of S5 fish group) compared to control (P < 0.05). IL-8 gene expression was elevated on 1st and 3rd day in kidney of all experimental fish groups. IL-6 transcript enhanced in a dose-dependent manner on 3rd and 7th day. IL-10 and IL-12 genes were also up-regulated. Survival in all treated fish groups challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila was significantly increased compared to that of control. The highest survival rate was recorded in S5 fish group (83.65%) followed by S3 fish group (82.62%). Our results suggest that S. polycystum aqueous methanolic extract is an effective immunostimulant and provide protection against A. hydrophila infection in rainbow trout at a dose of 3-10 mg/20 g body weight/day.

Combined application of Ascophyllum nodosum extract and chitosan synergistically activates host-defense of peas against powdery mildew

BACKGROUND

Powdery mildew (PM) is an important disease of pea that reduce yield. Ascophyllum nodosum extract (ANE) and chitosan (CHT) are biostimulants used to improve plant health. Efficacy of ANE and CHT was assessed individually and in combination against pea powdery mildew.

RESULTS

Combined applications of ANE and CHT had a significant inhibitory effect on pathogen development and it reduced disease severity to 35%, as compared to control (90.5%). The combination of ANE and CHT enhanced the activity of plant defense enzymes; phenylalanine ammonia lyases (PAL), peroxidase (PO) and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Further, the treatment increased the expression of a number of plant defense genes in jasmonic acid (JA) signaling pathway such as LOX1 and COI and salicylic acid (SA)-mediated signaling pathway such as NPR1 and PR1. Other genes involved in defense mechanisms like NADPH oxidase and C4H were also upregulated by the combination treatment.

CONCLUSION

The combination of ANE and CHT suppresses pea powdery mildew largely by modulating JA and SA-mediated signaling pathways.

Synergetic effects of 5-aminolevulinic acid and Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed extracts on Asparagus phenolics and stress related genes under saline irrigation

Salinity is one of the major agricultural problems that may threat food security and limit the agricultural lands expansion worldwide. Exploring novel tools controlling saline conditions and increase valuable secondary metabolites in the horticultural crops might have outstanding results that serve humanity in the current century. The current study explores the effects of weekly seaweed extracts (7 mL L-1) and/or 5-aminolevulinic acid (3, 5 and 10 ppm) sprays on Asparagus aethiopicus plants subjected to saline stress conditions (2000 and 4000 ppm) for 6 weeks in two consecutive seasons of 2016 and 2017. Under saline conditions, there were stimulatory synergetic effects of seaweed extracts (SWE) and 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) on branch length and number of treated plants. Similar increases were also found in fresh and the dry weight of treated plants compared to control. These morphological improvements associated with increased accumulation of specific phenols (robinin, rutin, apigein, chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid) as revealed by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Diode-Array Detection (HPLC-DAD). There were increases in the antioxidant activities of leaf extracts, chlorophyll content and sugars and proline accumulation. The transpiration and photosynthetic rates as well as the stomatal conductance were enhanced. The morphological and physiological improvements associated with increased expression of several genes responsible for water management (ANN1, ANN2 and PIP1), secondary metabolite production (P5CS1 and CHS) and antioxidants accumulation (APX1 and GPX3) in plants. Our findings indicate that SWE + ALA had stimulatory synergetic effects on the growth and secondary metabolites of A. aethiopicus subjected to saline conditions. Several mechanisms are involved in such effects including gas exchange control, sugar buildup, increasing non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants control of reactive oxygen species accumulation as well as transcriptional and metabolic regulation of environmental stress.

A randomized controlled double-blind clinical trial comparing versus placebo the effect of an edible algal extract (Ulva Lactuca) on the component of depression in healthy volunteers with anhedonia

BACKGROUND

The effects of the seaweed extract were evaluated on the animal model equivalent of depression compared with a control group treated with the carrier (spring water) and a reference group treated with Imipramine and showed significative effect. This clinical trial was intended to confirm in humans the potential efficacy identified in animals. The primary objective was to compare against a placebo the effect of Ulva L.L extract in healthy volunteers whose anhedonia was characterized by a component of depression.

METHODS

Single-centre double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial on parallel arms of two groups of 45 subjects. The study could include men or women aged 18 to 65 years with anhedonia characterized by a Snaith Hamilton Pleasure Scale score (SHAPS) of ≥5 and feeling low morale for at least four weeks characterized by a component of depression evaluated on the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology - Self Report (QIDS-SR). Evaluation criteria: QIDS-SR; Patient Global Improvement Impression (PGII) and Clinical Global Improvement Impression (CGII).

RESULTS

86 subjects were included in the trial: 42 in the placebo group and 44 Ulva group. At D84, QIDS-SR significantly decreased more in the Ulva.L.L. group than in the placebo group (p: 0.0389). This difference is essentially linked to an improvement of the sleep disorders (p: 0.0219), of the psychomotor consequences (p: 0.002) and of the nutrition behaviour (p: 0.0694). 90.1% have the feeling of being improved in the Ulva group vs 72.5% in the placebo group (p: 0.0114) and in parallel 90.9% of the practitioners have the feeling that the subject has improved vs 70.8% (p: 0.0214).

CONCLUSION

This double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial shows that daily intake for three months of a water-soluble extract of Ulva L.L. continues to significantly improve the component of depression of subjects presenting anhedonia compared with a placebo.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Trial retrospectively registred on ClinicalTrial.gov under ID: NCT03545399 Date: 05/22/2018.

Health and taste related compounds in strawberries under various irrigation regimes and bio-stimulant application

Strawberry has a unique status within the fruit species in terms of health and taste related compounds. This experimental study concerned the application of a bio-stimulant at various drip irrigation levels (IR125, IR100, IR75 and IR50). The effects of the bio-stimulant (seaweed extract) on the eating quality, i.e., the taste-related (TSS, fructose, glucose, sucrose and citric, malic, l-ascorbic acid), and health-related (antioxidant activity, total phenol, myricetin and quercetin) compounds were studied in two strawberry cultivars. The 'Rubygem' with its higher sugar and lower acid content has been more preferable than the 'Kabarla' cultivar. The bio-stimulant contributes to taste by improving the TSS, fructose, sucrose and also to health by increasing the quercetin content of the fruit which is associated to the cardiovascular properties and cancer reducing agents. The experiment conducted revealed significant increases only in the TSS contents and antioxidant activity under the IR50 and IR75 deficit irrigation treatments.

Increased growth response of strawberry roots to a commercial extract from Durvillaea potatorum and Ascophyllum nodosum

The withdrawal of soil fumigants like methyl bromide is forcing strawberry growers to consider supplementary and alternative ways of producing crops. In addition to controlling soil-borne pests, soil fumigation causes an increased growth response in strawberry roots, and the use of biostimulants may offer an alternative to replace this response. We tested the hypothesis that treatment with a commercial extract (Seasol®) from the seaweeds Duvillaea potatorum and Ascophyllum nodosum can increase root growth, and transplant (runner) and fruit yields of strawberry. From 2014 to 2016, we conducted three field trials on strawberry farms in the nursery sector at Toolangi and in the fruiting sector at Coldstream in Victoria, Australia. We applied the seaweed extract as a monthly drench (10 L ha^-1) to two cultivars of strawberry ('Albion' and 'Fortuna'), compared with an untreated control. In the nursery sector, use of the extract significantly increased the density of secondary roots (feeder roots) on harvested runners by up to 22%. Treatment with the extract also significantly increased yields of marketable runners by 8-19%. In the fruit sector, use of the extract significantly increased the root length density (root length per volume of soil) of strawberry plants by 38% and marketable fruit yields by 8%. Root length density at final harvest and marketable fruit yield of strawberry were highly correlated (r = 0.94). This relationship provides an insight into the mode of action of seaweed extracts and is discussed. Overall, the results show the potential benefits of the integrated use of seaweed extracts in strawberry production across the nursery and fruit sectors, and their promise for supplementing or replacing the increased growth response provided by soil fumigants.

Proximate composition, phenolic content and in vitro antioxidant activity of aqueous extracts of the seaweeds Ascophyllum nodosum, Bifurcaria bifurcata and Fucus vesiculosus. Effect of addition of the extracts on the oxidative stability of canola oil under accelerated storage conditions

Extracts from three macroalgae species (Ascophyllum nodosum (ANE), Bifurcaria bifurcata (BBE) and Fucus vesiculosus (FVE)) were tested for proximate composition (total solid, protein and total carbohydrate contents), total phenols content (TPC), and for their antioxidant activities in vitro in comparison to that of BHT compound by using four different assays (ABTS radical cation decolouration, DPPH free radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC)). The inclusion of the extracts as oil stabilizers in canola oil in substitution of the synthetic antioxidant (BHT) was also evaluated by assessing lipid oxidation parameters (peroxide value (PV), p-anisidine value (AV), TBARS value, conjugated dienes (CD) and TOTOX index) under accelerated storage conditions (16days, 60°C). There was an inverse relationship between total solid content and total polyphenols content in the seaweed extracts. FVE showed an intermediate TPC (1.15g PGE/100g extract), but it presented the highest in vitro antioxidant activity when measured using the ABTS, DPPH and FRAP tests. BBE, that displayed the highest TPC (1.99g PGE/100g extract), only showed the highest in vitro antioxidant activity when measured using the ORAC test. ANE showed the lowest TPC and the lowest antioxidant activity in all the tests performed. The seaweed extracts added in a 500ppm concentration significantly reduced the oxidation during canola oil storage at 60°C, being this antioxidant effect significantly higher than that of BHT added at 50ppm. Results indicate that seaweed extracts can effectively inhibit the oxidation of canola oil and they can be a healthier alternative to the synthetic antioxidants in the oil industry.

Enhancement of Calibrachoa growth, secondary metabolites and bioactivity using seaweed extracts

Background

Calibrachoa x hybrida (Solanaceae) cultivars are widely used in North and South America as ornamental plants. Their potential as a source of antimicrobial compounds might be enhanced by seaweed extract (SWE) applications.

Methods

SWE of Ascophyllum nodosum were applied at 5 and 7 ml/L as a soil drench or foliar spray on Calibrachoa cultivars of Superbells® ‘Dreamsicle’ (CHSD) and Superbells® ‘Frost Fireʼ (CHSF). The total phenolics, tannins and antioxidants composition as well as specific flavonols in leaf extracts were determined. Further, the chemical composition of SWE was assessed.

Results

The drench and foliar SWE treatments significantly enhanced Calibrachoa cultivars leaf number and area, dry weight, plant height, antioxidant capacity as well as phenolic, flavonols and tannin content. The increased growth and composition of phenols, flavonols and tannins was attributed to the stimulatory effects of SWE mineral composition. The antifungal activity of Calibrachoa cultivars was significantly enhanced following SWE treatments and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) were in the range of 0.07–0.31 mg/ml and from 0.16 to 0.56 mg/ml, respectively. Moreover, antibacterial activity was significantly increased and the MIC and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) measurements were in the range of 0.06–0.23 mg/ml and from 0.10 to 0.44 mg/ml, respectively. The most sensitive fungus to SWE treatments was C. albicans and the most sensitive bacterium was E. cloacae.

Conclusion

The results suggest that enhanced antifungal and antibacterial activities might be attributed to significant increases of phenolic, flavonols and tannin contents, which ultimately enhance the potential of Calibrachoa as a natural source of alternative antibiotics.

Thermal imaging of soybean response to drought stress: the effect of Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed extract

Previous experiments have demonstrated positive effect of Acadian(®) extract of Ascophyllum nodosum on plant stress-resistance, however the mode of action is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to understand the physiological effect of Acadian(®) seaweed extract on the plant response to drought stress. Leaf temperature and leaf angle were measured as early-stage indicators of plant stress with thermal imaging "in situ" over a 5-day stress-recovery trial. The early stress-response of control became visible on the third day as a rapid wilting of leaves, accompanied with the asymptotic increase of leaf temperature on 4-5 °C to the thermal equilibrium with ambient air temperature. At the same time Acadian(®) treated plants still maintained turgor, accompanied with the linear increase in leaf temperature, which indicated better control of stomatal closure. Re-watering on the fifth day showed better survival of treated plants compared to control. This study demonstrated the ability of Acadian(®) seaweed extract to improve resistance of soybean plants to water stress.

Enhancing stress growth traits as well as phytochemical and antioxidant contents of Spiraea and Pittosporum under seaweed extract treatments

Seaweed extracts (SWE) might play an important role in enhancing growth and phytochemical composition of medicinal shrubs. In this study, we investigate the morphological, physiological and biochemical effects of irrigation levels (100% and 50% of the evapotranspiration rate) coupled with a weekly treatment of SWE of Ascophyllum nodosum at 5 and 7 mL L(-1) as a soil drench or foliar spray on Spiraea nipponica "Snowmound" and Pittosporum eugenioides "Variegatum" grown in containers under controlled greenhouse conditions. In addition, the phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation in both plant species was largely enhanced while the proline accumulation was reduced. After 8 weeks of treatments, drought condition reduced plant vegetative growth and gas exchange, as well as leaf water potential, but increased the phenolic and flavonoid contents in leaves, their antioxidant capacities and proline content. The application of SWE enhanced the performance of both species during mild drought conditions by means of increasing leaf number and area, dry weights, plant height, gas exchange and leaf water potential. The maximum vegetative growth, physiological performance and phytochemical composition of both species was achieved using the drench SWE treatments (5 and 7 mL L(-1)) in moderate drought conditions, which improved the plant water status, stomatal conductance, and photosynthetic rate. SWE enhanced plant growth and the phytochemical composition and antioxidant capacity of plant leaves of both species during moderate drought conditions.

The suppressive effect of a commercial extract from Durvillaea potatorum and Ascophyllum nodosum on infection of broccoli by Plasmodiophora brassicae

A sand solution technique demonstrated the capacity for a commercial seaweed extract from Durvillaea potatorum and Ascophyllum nodosum (Seasol Commercial®) to significantly suppress infection of broccoli by Plasmodiophora brassicae. In the primary stages of infection, the extract reduced the number of plasmodia formed in the root hairs by 55 %. Later, in the secondary stages of infection, the extract reduced plasmodia in the root cortical cells by up to 84 %. The suppression of infection was found to be independent of the dilution of the extract applied (1:25 and 1:500). The basis for these results is unlikely to be a nutrient or pH effect since the extract had little impact on these parameters, particularly at the lower dilution (1:200). Rather, we hypothesise that the suppression of infection by the seaweed extract was due to its stimulation of resistance mechanisms in the host, which is possibly related to laminarins in the extract and/or the effect of exogenous growth regulators or undiscovered molecules in the extract disrupting the infection process.