Results
Title

EFFECT OF TREATMENT WITH MICROALGAE EXTRACTS TO SOME MORPHOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF TOMATO LEAVES.

Authors

AUGŠPOLE, Ingrīda; SIVICKA, Irina; KAMPUSS, Kaspars; SEMJONOVS, Pāvels

Abstract

The research aimed to the evaluation of some morphological and chemical parameters of tomato leaves under the treatment with microalgae extracts. In August 2023, tomato seedlings (cultivar 'Belle' F1, Enza Zaden) were planted in 25 L pots, filled with peat (producer Laflora LTd., pHKCl 5.5) and grown in polycarbonate greenhouse of the laboratory of Horticulture and Beekeeping of the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies. The plants were sprayed weekly (for a total of five times) with the solution of ethanol extractions of different microalgae species: Spirulina, Dunaliella and Chlorella, from 14th August till 11th September, till harvesting time. In total, nine plants per treatment were used. Two concentrations of the extracts were compared with sprays with corresponding ethanol solution as a control. In September, one week before first yield harvesting, for tomato leaves, such indices as length and width of leaf plate, pH, content of soluble solids, pigments and colour components of L*, a*, b* were determined. The obtained results showed that tomato leaves under the treatment with 10% Spirulina were shorter and narrower. Under the treatment with 10% Dunaliella as well as under 2% ethanol in control leaves were longer and wider, characterised with higher Brix, chlorophyll and carotenoids content, but decreased colour components of the L*, a*, b*. Despite the fact that tomato plants grew well and developed normally under all treatments, 10% Dunaliella extract is the most suitable for tomato leaves. Further research is needed to adjust treatment with microalgae extracts for tomato cultivation.

Subjects

MICROALGAE; TREATMENT effectiveness; HARVESTING time; TOMATO yields; PHYTOCHEMICALS; TOMATO farming; CAROTENOIDS; LIFE sciences; CHLORELLA; DUNALIELLA

Publication

AGROFOR International Journal, 2024, Vol 9, Issue 3, p30

ISSN

2490-3434

Publication type

Academic Journal

DOI

10.7251/AGREN2403030A