Department of Biology, Laboratory of Biotechnology, Valorization and Protection of Agro-Resources, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco
Salt stress is a major adverse factor that can lower seed germination and seedlings growth, leading to reduced plant growth and ultimately lower crop productivity in arid and semi arid regions of the world. In order to improve crop tolerance to this abiotic stress, many research studies have the importance of seaweed extract (SWE) in alleviating stress damage to plants. Seaweed extracts are used as nutrient supplements or biofertilizers in agriculture to increase plant growth and yield. In this study, we examined the effect of liquid seaweed extracts made from Sargassum vulgare on the germination and growth of durum wheat (Durum triticum L) (cv Karim) under salt stress in laboratory and greenhouse conditions using foliar applications. We assessed SWE at different concentrations (0.2, 0.5, 25 and 50 %) on germination parameters (percentage, mean time) and growth parameters (radicle length, shoot length, shoot fresh and dry weights) of durum seedlings. Our results indicate that seeds treated with SWE of Sargassum vulgare at lower concentrations (0.2 %) showed enhanced germination (better response in germination rate associated with lower mean germination time and consequently greater seedling vigor and greater radicle length). Furthermore, Sargassum vulgare was found to be more successful and better candidates for developing effective biostimulants to improve the growth of wheat plants under salt stress. This study provides important information on the identification and utilization of Tunisian 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.