Effect of Ulva Lactuca Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer on Drought Stressed Vignaunguiculata

Abstract

Impact of Ulva lactuca seaweed liquid fertilizer (SLF) on drought stressed Vignaunguiculata was studied. Ulva SLF obtained by Autoclave method and Alcohol-Aqueous method were assessed for their role in water stress alleviation in Vigna unguiculata by analysisng the morphological characters; shoot length, root length, number of lateral roots, fresh weight and dry weight and biochemical parameters; photosynthetic pigments, sugar, aminoacid, protein, lipid, proline, nitrogen, Nitrate reductase, α–amylase, Abcissic Acid and cytokinin.

1% Ulva SLF obtained by the alcohol-aqueous method, triggered enhanced shoot and root length, number of lateral roots and fresh weight in water stressed SLF treated cowpea seedlings. The amount of photosynthetic pigments in Ulva SLF (from both the methods of extraction) treated drought stressed cowpea seedlings exceeded over that of unstressed and water stressed untreated cowpea seedlings. Ulva SLF induced increment of biochemicals like sugar, aminoacid, protein in cowpea and nitrate reductase activity was at the peak. The response of the test crop seedlings varied with the treatments under water stressed conditions.

Highest value of aminoacid (39 mg) and protein (0.49 mg) content was recorded in Ulva SLF treated stressed seedlings

The amount of sugar (1.12 mg) and amino acids (30.9 mg) was found to be more in stressed SLF treated seedlings The amount of sugar (1.12 mg) and amino acids (30.9 mg) was found to be more in stressed SLF treated seedlings.