The Macroalgal Biostimulant Improves the Functional Quality of Tomato Fruits Produced from Plants Grown under Salt Stress

Kanagaraj Muthu-Pandian Chanthini, Sengottayan Senthil-Nathan (), Ganesh-Subbaraja Pavithra, Arul-Selvaraj Asahel, Pauldurai Malarvizhi, Ponnusamy Murugan, Arulsoosairaj Deva--Andrews, Haridoss Sivanesh, Vethamonickam Stanley-Raja, Ramakrishnan Ramasubramanian, Aml Ghaith, Ahmed Abdel-Megeed and Patcharin Krutmuang ()
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Kanagaraj Muthu-Pandian Chanthini: Sri Paramakalyani Centre for Excellence in Environmental Sciences, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Alwarkurichi, Tirunelveli 627 412, Tamil-Nadu, India
Sengottayan Senthil-Nathan: Sri Paramakalyani Centre for Excellence in Environmental Sciences, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Alwarkurichi, Tirunelveli 627 412, Tamil-Nadu, India
Ganesh-Subbaraja Pavithra: Sri Paramakalyani Centre for Excellence in Environmental Sciences, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Alwarkurichi, Tirunelveli 627 412, Tamil-Nadu, India
Arul-Selvaraj Asahel: Sri Paramakalyani Centre for Excellence in Environmental Sciences, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Alwarkurichi, Tirunelveli 627 412, Tamil-Nadu, India
Pauldurai Malarvizhi: Sri Paramakalyani Centre for Excellence in Environmental Sciences, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Alwarkurichi, Tirunelveli 627 412, Tamil-Nadu, India
Ponnusamy Murugan: Sri Paramakalyani Centre for Excellence in Environmental Sciences, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Alwarkurichi, Tirunelveli 627 412, Tamil-Nadu, India
Arulsoosairaj Deva--Andrews: Sri Paramakalyani Centre for Excellence in Environmental Sciences, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Alwarkurichi, Tirunelveli 627 412, Tamil-Nadu, India
Haridoss Sivanesh: Sri Paramakalyani Centre for Excellence in Environmental Sciences, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Alwarkurichi, Tirunelveli 627 412, Tamil-Nadu, India
Vethamonickam Stanley-Raja: Sri Paramakalyani Centre for Excellence in Environmental Sciences, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Alwarkurichi, Tirunelveli 627 412, Tamil-Nadu, India
Ramakrishnan Ramasubramanian: Sri Paramakalyani Centre for Excellence in Environmental Sciences, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Alwarkurichi, Tirunelveli 627 412, Tamil-Nadu, India
Aml Ghaith: Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Derna University, Derna 417230, Libya
Ahmed Abdel-Megeed: Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture Saba Basha, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21531, Egypt
Patcharin Krutmuang: Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

Agriculture, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-17

Abstract: Among the most perilous factors affecting tomato plant functioning and yield is salinity. The efficacy of halotolerant marine macroalgal extract of Chaetomorpha antennina (Seaweed Extract—SWE) in mitigating the toxic effects of salt stress (150 mM) in tomato plants to promote and enhance both plant functionality and yield was tested. It was evident that salt stress undesirably affected germination and plant growth in terms of quality and quantity. Treatment with SWE improved the functionality of salt-strained tomato plants by enhancing their germination indexes, growth and morphological traits, and photosynthetic pigments, as well as protein and phenol concentrations. SWE also exerted a positive influence on protecting the plant against salt stress by increasing the synthesis and accumulation of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase and lipoxygenase enzymes, along with the contents of lycopene and vitamin C. SWE also increased the nutraceutical quality, flavour and organolepty of emerged tomato fruits. GCMS analysis of fruit pericarp showed increased siloxane, phenol, antioxidant and indole acetic acid compounds, along with aromatic benzene compounds. These results indicate the potentiality of SWE in protecting plants against salt stress induced toxicities by prompting the synthesis of protective compounds such as siloxane and antioxidant enzymes. It was also noted that SWE plays a crucial role in promoting plant growth and survivability by improving plant functionality, yield and nutrition, by promoting cultivation in saline soils in an eco-friendly and sustainable manner.

Keywords: seaweed extract; salt stress; tomato; alleviation; photosynthetic pigments; siloxane; antioxidant enzymes; vitamin C; fruit yield (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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