Algae Extract Increases Seed Production of Soybean Plants and Alters Nitrogen Metabolism

Daniele Caroline Hörz Engel, Daniela Feltrim, Mayara Rodrigues, João Leonardo Corte Baptistella and Paulo Mazzafera ()
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Daniele Caroline Hörz Engel: Department of Crop Science, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Cx. Postal 9, Piracicaba 13418-900, SP, Brazil
Daniela Feltrim: Department of Crop Science, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Cx. Postal 9, Piracicaba 13418-900, SP, Brazil
Mayara Rodrigues: Department of Crop Science, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Cx. Postal 9, Piracicaba 13418-900, SP, Brazil
João Leonardo Corte Baptistella: Department of Crop Science, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Cx. Postal 9, Piracicaba 13418-900, SP, Brazil
Paulo Mazzafera: Department of Crop Science, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Cx. Postal 9, Piracicaba 13418-900, SP, Brazil

Agriculture, 2023, vol. 13, issue 7, 1-13

Abstract: Algae extract biostimulants increase nutrient uptake, stress tolerance, and productivity in several crops. However, there is still a gap in the knowledge of the mechanisms of action of algae extracts on nitrogen plant metabolism. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a commercial Ascophyllum nodosum algae extract on nitrogen metabolism in nodulating soybean plants and their productivity. Two concentrations of algae extract (0.25% and 0.50%) were used, which were applied via seeds and leaf spray. Seeds were treated at sowing, and plants were sprayed twice at two vegetative phenological stages. Plants were harvested at the R5 phenological stage for leaf biochemical and enzyme activity analyses and leaf and root gene expression analyses. The experiment was carried out a second time to evaluate productivity. There was an increase in leaf and stem biomass, number of pods and seeds, weight of pods and seeds, and productivity in plants treated with both concentrations. Biochemical analysis showed increased amino acid content in leaves after extract application. No marked differences were found regarding the parameters related to nitrogen metabolism when the data were analysed individually. However, principal component analysis and gene expression heatmaps supported the conclusion that N metabolism was affected by algae extract application, leading to higher seed production.

Keywords: Glycine max; nitrogen metabolism; amino acids; growth; 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: 2023
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