Effect of liquid seaweed extracts on growth of tomato seedlings (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Abstract

This work reports on the properties of high density polyethylene based hybrid composites made with two natural fibers: agave and pine. The composites were produced by a combination of extrusion and injection molding. The effect of hybridization was analyzed via morphological, mechanical and water immersion tests for two total fiber contents, 20 and 30. wt.%, and different pine-agave fiber ratios (100-0, 80-20, 60-40, 40-60 and 0-100). Moreover, the effect of coupling agent (maleated polyethylene) in the hybrid composite formulation was evaluated. The results showed that addition of agave fibers improves tensile, flexural and impact strength, while pine fibers decreases water uptake. As expected, the addition of a coupling agent improves substantially the quality of the polymer-fiber interface as well as the mechanical properties, but this effect was more important for composites produced with higher agave fibers content due to the their chemical composition. " 2014 Elsevier Ltd.",,,,,,"10.1016/j.matdes.2014.07.025",,,"http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12104/40946","http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84908121722&partnerID=40&md5=15e070f5b9ae068937f3b9696d254d10",,,,,,,,"Materials and Design",,"35

43",,"64",,"Scopus

WOS",,,,,,"Extrusion; Hybrid; Injection molding; Mechanical properties; Polymer matrix composite",,,,,,"Effect of hybridization on the physical and mechanical properties of high density polyethylene-(pine/agave) composites",,"Article" "42734","123456789/35008",,"Hernández-Herrera, R.M., Centro Universitario de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad de Guadalajara, Carretera Guadalajara-Nogales Km 15.5, C.P. 45110 Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico; Santacruz-Ruvalcaba, F., Centro Universitario de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad de Guadalajara, Carretera Guadalajara-Nogales Km 15.5, C.P. 45110 Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico; Ruiz-López, M.A., Centro Universitario de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad de Guadalajara, Carretera Guadalajara-Nogales Km 15.5, C.P. 45110 Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico; Norrie, J., Acadian Seaplants Limited, Dartmouth, NS B3B 1X8, Canada; Hernández-Carmona, G., Instituto Politécnico Nacional-Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Av. Inst. Poly. Nacional s/n, Col. Playa Palo de Sta. Rita, C.P.23096 La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico",,"Hernandez-Herrera, R.M.

Santacruz-Ruvalcaba, F.

Ruiz-Lopez, M.A.

Norrie, J.

Hernandez-Carmona, G.",,"2014",,"Seaweed extracts are used as nutrient supplements, biostimulants, or biofertilizers in agriculture and horticulture to increase plant growth and yield. In this study, we examined the effect of liquid seaweed extracts (LSEs) made from Ulva lactuca, Caulerpa sertularioides, Padina gymnospora, and Sargassum liebmannii as biostimulants on the germination and growth of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) under laboratory and greenhouse conditions using foliar and soil drench applications of LSEs. We assessed LSEs at different concentrations (0.2, 0.4, and 1.0 %) on germination parameters (percentage, index, mean time, energy, and seedling vigor index) and growth parameters (plumule length, radical length, shoot length, root length, fresh weight, and dry weight) of tomato seedlings. Our results indicate that seeds treated with LSEs of U. lactuca and P. gymnospora at lower concentrations (0.2 %) showed enhanced germination (better response in germination rate associated with lower mean germination time, high germination index and germination energy, and consequently greater seedling vigor and greater plumule and radicle length). Application as a soil drench was found to be more effective in influencing the height of the plant (up to 79 cm) than the foliar spray application (75 cm). Plants receiving LSEs of U. lactuca and P. gymnospora showed increased shoot length, root length, and weight. Furthermore, U. lactuca and P. gymnospora were found to be more successful and better candidates for developing effective biostimulants to improve the growth of tomato plants. This study provides important information on the identification and utilization of Mexican seaweed resources for agriculture and is the first study to report on the uses of these seaweeds as a source of liquid extracts as biostimulants in agriculture. " 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.