Inter. J. of Phytotherapy / Vol 4 / Issue 3 / 2014 / 139-143.

~ 139 ~

e - ISSN - 2249-7722

Print ISSN - 2249-7730

International Journal of Phytotherapy

www.phytotherapyjournal.com

INFLUENCE OF SEAWEED LIQUID FERTILIZER OF CAULERPA

PELTATA LAMOUR (GREEN SEAWEED) ON PENNISETUM

GLAUCUM (L.) R.Br., IN IDINTHAKARAI TAMIL NADU INDIA

Mahadevi B and John Peter Paul J*

Research Department of Botany, St. Xaviers College (Autonomous), Palayamkottai 627 002, Tamil Nadu, India.

INTRODUCTION

Seaweeds are the macroscopic marine algae

found attached to the bottom in relatively shallow coastal

waters. Seaweeds grow in the intertidal, shallow and deep

sea areas up to 180 meter depth and also in estuaries and

backwaters on the solid substrate such as rocks, dead

corals and pebbles. Seaweed zone is one of the

conspicuous and wide spread biotope in the shallow

marine environment. Seaweeds are totally different from

higher plants as they neither have true leaves, stems and

roots nor vascular systems none specialized sex organs

[1]. Seaweeds are one of the most important marine

resources of the world and being used as human food,

animal feed and raw material for many industries. They

are also used as manure for agricultural and horticultural

crops due to the presence of minerals, trace elements and

plant growth regulators which occur in water soluble form

[2] and enhances the disease resistance in field crops [3].

In recent years soil fertility is diminishing

gradually due to soil erosions, loss of nutrient,

accumulation of salts and other toxic elements, water

logging and unbalanced nutrient compensation. Organic

wastes and biofertilizers are the alternate sources to meet

the nutrient requirement of crops and to bridge the future

gaps. Farming regions that emphasizing heavy chemical

application lead to adverse environmental, agricultural

and health consequences. Many efforts are being

exercised to combat the adverse consequences of

chemical farming [4]. Biofertilizers, the organic manuring

and biocontrol have emerged as a promising component

of integrating nutrient supply system in agriculture.

Organic farming production system aims at promoting

and enhancing agro ecosystem health, biodiversity,

biological cycles and soil biological activities. Crop plants

remove varying amounts of different nutrients from soil

Corresponding Author: - John Peter Paul J. Email: johnarock2008@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The present study was aimed to explore the influence of Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer of Caulerpa peltata

Lamouron seed germination, shoot length, root length, biochemicals and pigment content of Pennisetum glaucum

(L.) R.Br. collected from Idinthakarai in the south east coast of Tamil Nadu, India. The Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer

made using Caulerpa peltata Lamour was observed to have the positive effect on the shoot and root length of

Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br. The biochemicals such as total carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, phenols, chlorophylls

and carotenoids were increased when Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.treated up to 10% of Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer.

The seed germination, shoot length, root length, biochemical and pigment content were high in 10% SLF. From the

study, it was concluded that Caulerpa peltata Lamour can be used as biofertilizer for the growth of Pennisetum

glaucum (L.) R.Br.

Key words: Green seaweed, Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer, Caulerpa peltata, Pennisetum glaucum .

Inter. J. of Phytotherapy / Vol 4 / Issue 3 / 2014 / 139-143.

~ 140 ~

and to compensate the loss from the soil, organic

amendments rich in nutrients must be added [5]. In

organic farming microorganisms, macro organisms

deliver a smorgasbord of minerals, vitamins and other

nutrients to the crop at a metered place. Seaweeds are the

macroscopic marine algae and its use as manure in

farming practices is very ancient and was prevalent

among various parts of the world. The seaweeds are used

directly, after composting or after preparing Seaweed

Liquid Fertilizer [6].

Seaweed Liquid Fertilizers are important to

environment friendly stainable agricultural practices.

They can be conveniently produced by immersing

powdered seaweeds in water and partially substituted the

chemical fertilizers to avoid environmental pollution.

Seaweed extracts excrete a great number of substances

that influence plant growth and development. Seaweed

Liquid Fertilizers have been reported to benefit plants by

producing growth promoting regulators, vitamins, amino

acids, polypeptides, antibacterial and antifungal

substances that improve plant growth and productivity

[7]. John Peter Paul and Mahadevi [8] recently found that

Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer prepared using Caulerpa

peltata Lamour significantly increased seed germination,

root length, root length, biochemicals such as total

carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, phenols and pigments like

total chlorophylls and carotenoids of Vigna radiata (L.)

R. Wilczek. In the light of above mentioned reviews, it

was of particular interest to evaluate Caulerpa peltata

Lamour as organic fertilizer in order to improve the yield

quality and productivity of Pennisetum glaucum (L.)

R.Br. Hence the present study was conducted to find out

the influence of Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer of Caulerpa

peltata Lamour on the growth and biochemical

parameters of Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Collection of sample

Caulerpa peltata Lamour (Figure 1) is green

seaweed shows much attention in the recent years due to

native vegetation. Caulerpa peltata Lamour was collected

from Idinthakarai, Tirunelveli district in the south east

coast of Tamil Nadu, India during the month of January

2014. Samples were rinsed with marine water to remove

debris and epiphytes. The entire epiphytes were removed

using soft brush. In the laboratory, the seaweeds are once

again washed in freshwater and stored in refrigerator for

further analysis [9].

Selection and Surface Sterilization of Seeds Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br. is one of the

common cereals and cultivated since ancient times in

India. Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br. is properly grown

in almost all the states of south India. Therefore,

Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.was selected in the present

study. About 100 seeds the test plant immersed in a

beaker of water. The seeds which floated on the surface of

water were removed. The seeds which sunk to the bottom

of the beaker were selected for the study [10]. The

selected seeds were washed in running tap water for 5

minutes and rinsed with distilled water for 5 minutes.

After washing, the seeds were sterilized by keeping in

0.1% mercuric chloride for 5 minutes. The surface

sterilized seeds were washed in distilled water and rinsed

5 times for 5 minutes each [11]. The surface sterilized and

rinsed seeds were employed for the present study.

Preparation of Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer

Air dried plant sample was finely ground with

mortar and pestle and 10g was weighed on electronic

balance. 100ml distilled water was added. The mixture

was incubated for two days (48h). Thereafter, the extract

was filtered through What-man No.1 filter paper. Now,

the extract was made up into 100ml with distilled water

(10%). From this, various concentrations of extract were

prepared using distilled water in the following manner,

Percentage of

Conc.

Extracts (ml) Distilled water

(ml)

Control - 100

2.5% 25 75

5.0% 50 50

7.5% 75 25

10% 100 -

Bio Assay

Ten seeds were germinated in shade using Petri

plates at room temperature (33C) for each treatment. For each treatment, 10 seeds were placed in sterilized Petri

plates on Whatman No.1 filter paper and 5ml of aqueous

extractions (2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5% and 10%) were added on

the first day. Controls were treated with an equal volume

of distilled water [12]. The same volume of extracts and

distilled water were added on subsequent days on daily

basis [13]. The treatments were replicated three times in a

completely randomized manner. Followed by total

carbohydrates [14], total protein [15], total lipid [16], total

phenol [17], total chlorophyll and total carotenoids [18]

were also estimated. The results obtained were tabulated

and presented in the figures.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Effect of Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer of Caulerpa peltata

Lamour on Shoot and Root Length Pennisetum

glaucum (L.)R.Br.

The Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer of Caulerpa

peltata Lamour was used as base for Pennisetum glaucum

(L.) R.Br. Germination of seed was analyzed on 4th

day

and frequency of germination was found to be 100% in

control and all the treatments. The experiment results

showed the stimulation both in shoot and root growth.

Average shoot length in control was found to be 4.8cm

Inter. J. of Phytotherapy / Vol 4 / Issue 3 / 2014 / 139-143.

~ 141 ~

(100%). The minimum spur of shoot length was observed

to be 5.4cm in 2.5% concentration of SLF which

stimulated 12.50% over control. Followed by the shoot

growth was further increased to 5.4cm in 5.0% (22.91%)

and 5.9cm in 7.5% (29.16%). When the concentration of

SLF increased to 10%, the maximum stimulationof shoot

length was reached to 6.7cm (39.58%). Average root

length in control was found to be 7.5cm (100%). The

minimum stimulation of root length was observed in 2.5%

at 8.2cm concentration of SLF (9.33%). Followed by the

root growth was increased to 8.8cm in 5.0% (17.33%) and

9.7cm in 7.5% (29.33%). When the concentration of SLF

was increased to 10%, the maximum stimulationof root

length was reached to 10.4cm at 38.66% (Table 1 &

Figure 2).

Effect of Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer of Caulerpa peltata

Lamour on Biochemicals synthesis of Pennisetum

glaucum (L.) R.Br. After the treatment of various concentration of

SLF on Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br., the plants were

examined for various biochemical compounds and

pigments (Table 2). As shown in Figure 3, Total

carbohydrates content in control was 198mg/gm, followed

by increasing trend of carbohydrates was recorded in

2.5% (209mg/g), 5.0% (218mg/g), 7.5% (235mg/g) and

10% (244mg/gm). Total protein content in control was

found to be 136mg/gm, followed by 2.5% (141mg/g),

5.0% (148mg/g), 7.5% (154mg/g) and 166mg/gm in 10%.

Total lipid content in control was found to be 76mg/g.

The amount of lipid in 2.5% was 88mg/g, followed by

increasing trend was observed to 95mg/g (5.0%),

106mg/g (7.5%) and 117mg/g (10%). Total phenol

content in control was 79mg/gm, followed by increasing

trend of phenols was noted in 2.5% (90mg/g), 5.0%

(102mg/g), 7.5% (109mg/g) and 10% (123mg/gm).

As presented in Figure 4, Total chlorophyll

content in control was 2.99mg/gm, followed by 2.5%

(3.12mg/g), 5.0% (3.25mg/g), 7.5% (3.39mg/g) and

3.45mg/gm in 10%. Total carotenoid in control was

recorded to be 0.97mg/g. The carotenoid content in 2.5%

was 1.14mg/g, followed by increasing trend was observed

to 1.28mg/g (5.0%), 1.39mg/g (7.5%) and 1.48mg/g

(10%). When the concentrations of Seaweed Liquid

Fertilizer Caulerpa peltata Lamour were increased, all the

phytochemical contents were also increased.

Both the Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer treated seeds

and control showed higher 100% of germination. The

effect of SLF generally proved at low concentration is

beneficial for the seeding growth. In the present study it

was observed that the increased root and shoot length was

observed at 10% concentrations of SLF treated plants.

The decrease in root and shoot length was observed at

7.5%, 50% and 2.5% concentration of SLF than the

control. Similar results were recorded in Cajanus cajan

[19] and red gram [20]. It was reported that the presence

of plant growth regulators, trace elements, vitamins and

micronutrients in the low concentration of SLF enhance

the growth of root and shoot [21]. An increase in the

number biochemicals such as total carbohydrates,

proteins, lipids and phenols were observed to be high in

10% SLF compared to other concentrations like 2.5%,

5.0% and 7.5% SLF treated Pennisetum glaucum (L.)

R.Br. plants. It was noticed that more amount of

biochemicals in 2.5%, 5.0% and 7.5% SLF treated seeds

than the control.

In the present study higher amount of

chlorophylls and carotenoids were found in the leaves of

Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.treated with 10%

concentration of SLF than that of other lower

concentration of SLF (2.5%, 5.0% and 7.5%). The

minimum chlorophylls and carotenoids content was

observed in control plant compared than SLF treated

plants. The high chlorophyll content in the plants treated

with Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer may be due to the

presence of betains [22]. The plant growth substance

present in Seaweed liquid fertilizer also enhances the

chlorophyll and carotenoid contents in the leaves [23].

Similar results obtained in the biochemicals and pigments

content with the Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer of Ulvarigida

[24], Colpomenia sinuosa [25] and Gracilaria corticata

[26]. From the above results it has been suggested that the

Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer from Caulerpa peltata Lamour

can be used at low concentrations for enhancing the seed

germination and seedling growth and biochemical and

pigment contents of cultivated crops Pennisetum glaucum

(L.) R.Br.

Table 1. Effect of Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer of Caulerpa peltata Lamouron shoot and root length of Pennisetum

glaucum (L.) R.Br.

Treatment Seed germination

(%)

Shoot length

(cm)

Increased Shoot

length (%)

Root length

(cm)

Increased root length

(%)

Control 100 4.80.04 - 7.50.22 -

2.5% 100 5.40.11 12.50 8.20.08 9.33

5.0% 100 5.90.13 22.91 8.80.14 17.33

7.5% 100 6.20.08 29.16 9.70.17 29.33

10% 100 6.70.11 39.58 10.40.05 38.66

Inter. J. of Phytotherapy / Vol 4 / Issue 3 / 2014 / 139-143.

~ 142 ~

Table 2. Effect of Seaweed Fertilizer of Caulerpa peltata Lamour on different Biochemicals of Pennisetum glaucum

(L.) R.Br.

Biochemicals (mg/g) Concentration of Plant Extracts

Control 2.5% 5.0% 7.5% 10%

Total Carbohydrates 198* 209* 218* 235* 244*

Total Proteins 136* 141* 148* 154* 166*

Total Lipids 76* 88* 95* 106* 117*

Total Phenols 79* 90* 102* 109* 123*

Total Chlorophylls 2.99* 3.12* 3.25* 3.39* 3.45*

Total Carotenoids 0.97* 1.14* 1.28* 1.39* 1.48*

* An average of Triplicates

Figure 1. Natural Habit of Caulerpa peltata Lamour

CONCLUSION

From the present study, it can be concluded that

Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer using the green seaweed

Caulerpa peltata Lamour applied to Pennisetum glaucum

(L.) R.Br. showed better results in all aspects of growth,

yield, biochemical production and pigment concentration.

It is doubtless with the presence of mineral contents,

growth regulatory substances and nutrients in more

amounts in Caulerpa peltata Lamour, an important green

seaweed in the south east coast of Tamil Nadu, India.

Seaweed Liquid Fertilizers are economical alternatives to

chemical fertilizers with a lowering of cost and is also

environmentally friendly. Seaweed Liquid Fertilizers can

be applied to various crop plants in order to enrich the

nutrient content of the soil and intern to increase the

growth and yield of cultivable plants.

REFERENCES 1. Chapman VJ, Chapman DJ. Seaweeds and their uses, Third Editions. Chapman and Hall, New York, 1980. 2. Moller M, Smith ML. The effect of pruning treatments using seaweed suspensions on the water sensitivity of Barley

(HardeumvulgareL.) caryopses. Annals of Applied Biology, 135, 1999, 515-522.

Inter. J. of Phytotherapy / Vol 4 / Issue 3 / 2014 / 139-143.

~ 143 ~

3. Verkleij FN. Seaweed extracts in agriculture and Horticulture A Review. Biological Agriculture and Horticulture, 8, 1992, 309-324.

4. Fayza A Faheed, ZeinabAbd-El Fattah. Effect of Chlorella vulgaris as Bio-fertilizer on Growth Parameters and Metabolic Aspects of Lettuce Plant. J Agri Soc Sci, 4, 2008, 165-169.

5. Singh YV, Mandal BK. Rate of mineralization of Azolla, other organic materials and urea in water logged soils. Trop. Agr., 77(1), 2000, 119-122.

6. Thirumaran G, Arumugam M, Arumugam R, Anantharaman P. Effect of seaweed liquid fertilizer on growth and pigment concentration of Cyamopsis tetrogonolaba (L) Taub. American-Eurasian J Agron., 2(2), 2009, 50-56.

7. Johnsi Christobel G. Effect of Seaweed (Sargassum wightii L.) on the germination and growth of green gram (Phaseolus aureusL.). Journal of Basic and Applied Biology, 2(1), 2008, 105-108.

8. John Peter Paul J, Mahadevi B. Effect of Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer of Caulerpa peltata Lamour (Green Seaweed) on Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek. In Idinthakarai, Tamil Nadu, India. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical

Sciences, 3(6), 2014, 1000-1007.

9. John Peter Paul J. Phytochemical Studies on Turbinaria ornata (Turner) J.AG. American Journal of Pharm Tech Research, 2(6), 2012, 1-8.

10. John Peter Paul J, Shri Devi SDK. Effect of Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer of Gracilaria dura (Ag.) J.Ag. (Red Seaweed) on Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br. in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, India. Indo American Journal of Pharmaceutical Research,

4(4), 2014, 2183-2187.

11. Idu M, Dmonhinmin CA, Ogidioulu A. Germination and dormancy in seeds Dichrostrarhyscincera. Seeds Research, 31(1), 2003, 72-76.

12. Joshi RK, Prasad D, Rawat MSM, Pant G. Allelopathic effect of aqueous extracts of leaves of Fraxinus micrantha L. on crops. Allelopathy Journal, 3(2), 1996, 255-260.

13. Susseelama M, Venkataraju RR. Effect of Digera maricata mart extracts on the germination and seedling growth of groundnut. Allelopathy Journal, 1(1), 1994, 53-57.

14. Dubois M, Gilles KA, Hamilton JK, Rebe PA, Smith F. Calorimetric method for determination of sugars and related substance. Anal Chem., 28, 1956, 350

15. Lowry N, Rosenbrough J, Farr AL, Randall RJ. Protein measurement with the folin phenol reagent. J. Biol. Chem., 193, 1951, 265-275.

16. Folch J, Lees M, Sloane-Stanely GH. A Simple Method for the Isolation and Purification of Total Lipids from Animal Tissue. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 226, 1957, 497-509.

17. Sadasivam S, Manickam A. Biochemical method for agriculture science, Willey, Eastern Ltd., 1992, 105. 18. Arnon DI. Copper enzymes in isolated chloroplasts, polyphenol oxidase in Beta vulgaris. Plant Physiol., 2, 1949, 1-15. 19. Mohan VR, Venkataraman K, Murugeswari R, Muthusamy S. Effects of crude and commercial seaweed extracts on seed

germination and seedling growth in Cajanus cajan L. Phycos, 33, 1994, 47-51.

20. Venkataraman K, Mohan VR, Murugeswari R, Muthusamy M. Effect of crude and commercial seaweed extracts on seed germination and seedling growth in green gram and black gram. Seaweed Research and Utilization, 16(1/2), 1993, 23-

27.

21. Rajkumar I, Subramanian SK. Effect of fresh extract and seaweed liquid fertilizer on some cereals and Millets. Seaweed Research and Utilization, 21(1/2), 1999, 91-94.

22. Blunden G, Jenkins T, Liuyan W. Enhanced leaf chlorophyll levels in plants treated with seaweed extract. Journal of Applied Phycology, 8(6), 1997, 535-543.

23. Mostafa ME, Zheekh L. Effect of seaweed extracts on seed germination, seedling growth and some metabolic process of Viciafaba L. Cytobios, 100, 1999, 23-25.

24. John Peter Paul J, Muthu Sheeba M. Effect of Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer of Ulva rigida C.Ag. (Green Seaweed) on Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, India. International Journal of Pharmacy and Integrated

Life Sciences, 2(6), 2014, 48-57.

25. John Peter Paul J, Yuvaraj P. Studies on the influence of Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer of Colpomenia sinuosa (Mert. Ex Roth) Derbes&Solier (Brown Seaweed) on Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br. in the south east coast of Tamil Nadu, India.

Asian Journal of Phytomedicine and Clinical Research. 2(2), 2014, 59-67.

26. John Peter Paul J. Influence of Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer of Gracilaria corticata J.Ag. (Red Seaweed) on Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br. in Hare Island, Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, India. 2(7), 2014, 112-123.