A REVIEW: SCOPE OF UTILIZING SEAWEED AS A BIOFERTILIZER IN AGRICULTURE

Rinku V. Patel 1, 2 , Krishna Y. Pandya 1, 2 , Dr. R.T. Jasrai 3 and * Dr. Nayana Brahmbhatt 2 .  1. Sophisticated Instrumentation Centre for Applied Research and Testing, Vallabh Vidyanagar-388120, Gujarat,India. 2. Department of Biology, V.P. & R.P.T.P. Science College, Sardar Patel University, Vallabh vidyanagar-388120, Gujarat, India. 3. Department of Chemistry, R.K. Parikh Arts & Science College, Sardar Patel University, Petlad388450, Gujarat, India. ...................................................................................................................... Manuscript Info Abstract ......................... ........................................................................ Manuscript History


ISSN: 2320-5407
Int. J. Adv. Res. 5 (7), 2046-2054 2047 decrease following the use of chemical fertilizers in increasing level (Katsunori, 2003). The ground water contamination is the biggest issues faced during the use chemical fertilizers. In the soil nitrogen fertilizers breaks down and converts into nitrates which are water soluble and travels easily through the soil and they can remain in that position for decades and these accumulation is causing the problem. These accumulations of chemicals lead to water pollution both surface and ground water.
Organic fertilizers are derived from natural products, which were once living organisms. Organic fertilizers are generally slow-acting because they have to decompose and to become plant nutrients; however, this also means their benefits are longer lasting. All natural nutrients to soil, increases soil organic matter, improves soil structure and improves water holding capacity, reduces soil crusting problems, reduces erosion from water and wind, slow and consistent release of nutrients.

Biofertilizer:-
The term of biofertilizer represent everything from manures to plant extracts. Biofertilizers consist of N fixers (Rhizobium, Azotobacter, blue green algae, Azolla), phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and fungi (mycorrhizae) which increase the supply or availability of macro (primary & secondary nutrient) and/or micro nutrients (growth stimulus) to the target crop. Biofertilizers have shown great potential as a, renewable and environmental friendly source of plant nutrient. Biofertilizers are ready to use and used as a live formation of beneficial microorganisms, when it amended to seed, root or soil, it mobilizes the availability and utility of the microorganisms and thus the power to improve the soil health and genesis to support microbial growth and vegetation.
Seaweed as a bio-fertilizer:-Seaweeds are one of the most important marine sources of the world. The seaweed extract is available as fertilizer in different forms such as SLF (Seaweed Liquid Fertilizers), LF (Liquid Fertilizers) and powder form of seaweed manure have been used as a biofertilizer. In market, seaweed extracts available for several years as fertilizer additives and beneficial results from their use have been reported (Booth, 1969).
The components of seaweed such as macro and micro-element nutrients, amino acids, vitamins, cytokinin, auxins, and abscisic acid (ABA)-like growth substances affect cellular metabolism in treated plants to enhance growth and crop yield. The use of natural seaweed as fertilizer has allowed for partial substitution of prevailing synthetic fertilizer. Some studies have reported a wide range of beneficial effects of seaweed extract applications (like soil drench, foliar spray, soil drench+foliar spray) on plants, such as improving moisture-(water holding capacity) and by promoting growth of beneficial soil microbes enhanced soil health, which are conditioning substances of secretion of soil and which are promote root growth and development, improve nutrient uptake by roots, promote rooting of cutting, early flowering and increase fruit set & yield, elicit abiotic stress tolerance in plants, nematodes, enhance defense against pests and diseases, bacterial and fungal pathogens.      The different concentrations of liquid extracts were prepared and applied as foliar spray on the brinjal seedlings, raised in pots experimental with maintained under natural conditions. Their results revealed that the number of fruits and fruit weight were increased at lower concentration only (1.5 %). In contrast, liquid extracts at high concentration (5%) was found to have inhibitory effect on brinjal plants as compared to the control sprayed with water. Sutharsan et al., (2014) were experimented the effect of foliar application of Sargasssum crassifolium extract at different concentration (concentration (10%, 20%, 50% and 100%) to apply on tomato plants at five times from 3 weeks after transplanting and the results was recorded after two weeks. At 20% of root dry weight (81.57%), shoot dry weight (80.92%), fruit number (57.87%) and fruit yield per hectare (58.70%), along with fruit total acidity (76.95%) and total soluble solids content (25.71%) of fruit significantly increased as compare to control, while all mentioned parameters reduced at 100% of foliar application. Therefore, it concluded 20% concentration of seaweed extract an be used to enhance the growth. Mounir et al., (2015) were experimented the effect of seaweed extract (SWE) from two macroalgae species such as Ulva rigida and Fucus spiralis on drought stress tolerance in green bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). In their study, examination of growth parameters and some physiological and biochemical parameters showed that SWE extract enhanced vegetative growth with and without under drought stress condition in bean plant. Maximum plant height and dry weight were observed with 25 % of U. rigida and F. spiralis extract. Fatma et al., (2014) were conducted the efficiency of using seaweeds (Padina vickersiae, Enteromorpha compressa, Ulva fasciata, Gelidium crinale, Jania rubens and Laurencia obtusa) as biofertilizers for improving growth and grain quality of maize (Zea maize L.) plants. Thus, using algae as biofertilizer improved growth, yield and grain quality of maize plants. 2051 Rao and Chatterjee (2014) were observed the effect of Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer (SLF) of Gracilaria textorii and Hypnea musciformis on seed germination, growth and yield parameters such as number of leaves, weight of fruits of selected plants such as Brinjal, Tomato and Chilly and result to be effective in increasing the growth and yield in low doses (1:4 and 1:6 conc.) than 1:2, higher concentrations and the control of Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer. Rinku et al., (2017) were determined the effect of Gracilaria corticata J Ag., Kappaphycus alvarezii and mixture of both as a biopriming agents (different concentration of 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% & 5%), that alters the responses of brinjal and tomato vegetables seeds germination and better results was found at 4% concentration in all treatment.

Nutrient content and Bio-chemical parameter of Different seaweeds:-
Deviand and Mani (2015) conducted the different concentration of (2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, 10% and 15%) of fertilizer of seaweed saps Kappaphycus alvarezii and Gracilaria sp. on growth, yield and quality of rice Var. ADT 43 and significantly higher growth, yield attributes and chlorophyll content were recorded at 15% Kappaphycus alvarezii sap with 100% RDF (Recommended Dose of Fertilizer) as compare to Gracilaria sp. sap with 100% RDF and the grain was increased in both seaweed fertilizer treatment as compare to control.
Chitra and Sreeja (2013) studied the effect of Caulerpa peltata and Gracillaria corticata liquid extracts on seed germination, growth and pigment content of green gram (Vigna radiata (L.). At low level of seaweed liquid fertilizer application was promoted the seed germination and Gracillaria corticata extract was better than Caulerpa peltataat 4% concentration of growth and pigment content. El-Sheekh et al., (2000) were experimented the effect of three green seaweeds viz. Cladophora dalmatica, Enteromorpha intestinalis, Ulva lactucaand three red seaweeds viz. Corallina mediterranea, Jania rubens, and Pterocladia pinnata seaweed extracts on seed germination, seedling growth and some metabolic processes of "Fabe beans" (Vicia faba L.). The crude extract from Cladophora dalmatica applied shows maximum increase in seed germination, length of main root and shoot system and number of lateral root at 60% treatment. Protein content in root and shoot systems, total soluble sugar and chlorophyll content of leaves increased in all crude extract of seaweed. The cytokinin content of red seaweed was lower than in green seaweed. Zodape et al., (2008) found effect of different concentration of (2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5% and 10.0%) to obtain from Kappaphycus alvarezii onyield and quality. In the result, significantly increased in length (31.77%) and diameter (18.26%) of fruit, number of fruits (37.47%) and fruit yield (20.47%) per net plot and nutritional quality of Okra(Abelmoschus esculentus L.) as compared to control.
Ayun Vinuba et al., (2008) were found the beneficial effects of liquid seaweed fertilizer (LSF) made from Gracilaria corticata on seedling growth and biochemical parameters of pulses and cereals. LSF at 20% concentration increased the morphological parameters such as the lengths of shoot and root fresh and dry weight, the pigment of chlorophyll and protein contents Vigna mungo (black gram). Rajasulochana et al., (2008) were found the effect of Ulva lactuca extract on the growth of Brassica juncea Hook. F, Phaseolus mungo L. and Thomas and Trigonella foenum graceum L. In this experiment, positive response showed in Phaseolus mungo and to promote over all seedling growth of the three test plants. The application of extract was found to promote over all seedling growth of the three test plants. Thirumaran et al., (2009) were experimented the effect of seaweed liquid fertilizer (SLF) of Rosenvigea intricate alone or mixing with synthetic NPK chemical fertilizer on seedling growth parameters, pigment contents, yield and soil characters of "Ladies finger" [Abelmoschus esculentus (L) Medikus].Before sowing, the seeds of selected plant were soaked in SLF of different concentrations (10 to 100%) for 12 hrs. The result shows that SLF of low concentration 20 % promoted seedling growth, fruit yield and pigment contents and at higher concentrations of SLF was noted minimum improvement in growth parameters. Dogra and Mandradia (2012) was determined the effects of soil applications of different concentrations of seaweed extract from Ascophyllum nodosum on growth, yield and downy mildew severity of onion during the Rabi season of 2052 2009. The seaweed granules were applied as the basal dose (1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 & 3.5 g/m 2 ). The highest yield recorded was with application of 2.5g/m 2 followed by 3.0g/m 2 that resulted in 120.8 per cent and 102.5 per cent respectively compared to control. Sridhar and Rengasamy (2002) were experimented the effect of seaweed liquid fertilizer derived from the green seaweed Ulva lactuca to check its effect on physical & biochemical parameters and yield of Capsicum annum (Chilly). The seaweed extract was resulted to improve maximum growth and yield at 1.0% concentration of SLF.

Conclusion:-
As per the above review studied seaweeds can be utilized as an excellent source of macro & micro nutrients, fibers, ash, phenol, carbohydrates and higher content of plant growth hormones. Growth promoting substances released by biofertilizers improve plant"s physiological & biochemical parameters. In addition to these advantages, biofertilizers are commercially promising too. They are also comparatively cheaper than the chemical fertilizers.