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Biostimulants Derived from Moroccan Seaweeds: Seed Germination Metabolomics and Growth Promotion of Tomato Plant

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Abstract

Polysaccharides extracted from seaweeds can function as plant biostimulants. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of Polysaccharide Enriched Extracts (PEEs) obtained from 17 Moroccan seaweeds, on tomato seed germination and plant growth. Three concentrations (0.02, 0.05 and 0.1 mg mL−1) of PEEs were applied to tomato seeds to evaluate their effect on 3 germination parameters: germination percentage (GP), germination speed (GS) and mean germination time (MGT). Metabolomic analysis by GC–MS was subsequently performed on seedlings. In the second experiment, four PEEs concentrations (0.02, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 mg mL−1) were used as foliar spray or as soil application to tomato plants. Their growth parameters (number of leaves, shoot length, fresh and dry weight of stem and roots) and biochemical parameters (chlorophyll a and b) were measured. Results indicated a significant increase of GP and GS associated with a significant reduction of MGT of tomato seeds treated with 0.02 mg mL−1 of PEEs obtained from Gigartina sp., Gigartina pistillata, Chondracanthus acicularis, Gelidium crinale, Schizymenia dubyi, Cystoseira. foeniculacea and Fucus spiralis. Similar results were also obtained by application of higher PEEs concentration (0.1 mg mL−1) extracted from Ulva rigida, Codium tomentosum, Codium decorticatum and Bifurcaria bifurcata. Metabolomic analysis on seedlings detected the presence of some metabolites which could possibly be involved in seed germination enhancement or inhibition. The results of the second experiment showed that the same PEEs cited above at the same concentrations enhanced plant dry weight and chlorophyll a content except Gigartina sp., C. foeniculacea and C. decorticatum. Furthermore, soil application of PEEs was more effective in improving plant growth parameters than foliar application. The study shows the potential of PEEs from Moroccan seaweed to be used as biostimulants for a sustainable agriculture.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Research & Development Direction of the OCP Group for their scientific and technical contribution and for supporting the funding of this study. Special Acknowledgements to the members of Green Biotechnology laboratory in MAScIR Foundation for their support during the accomplishment of experiments. A huge thanks to Yassin Kasmi and Chanda Mutale-joan for their precious help in the article redaction. The authors thank the journal reviewers for their valuable comments and propositions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Green Biotechnology, Moroccan Foundation for Advanced Science, Innovation and Research (MAScIR) Rabat Design Center, Rue Mohamed Al Jazouli, Madinate Al Irfane, 10100, Rabat, Morocco

    Abir Mzibra, Abderrahim Aasfar, Redouane Benhima & Issam Meftah Kadmiri

  2. Department of Plant Production, Protection and Biotechnology, Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, Madinate Al Irfane, BP 6446, 10100, Rabat, Morocco

    Abir Mzibra & Ahmed Bamouh

  3. Research & Development Center, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, OCP Group Jorf Lasfar, BP 118, El Jadida, Morocco

    Mehdi Khouloud & Rachid Boulif

  4. Laboratory of Botany, Biotechnology and Plant Protection, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kénitra, Morocco

    Allal Douira

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  1. Abir Mzibra
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  2. Abderrahim Aasfar
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  3. Redouane Benhima
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Mzibra, A., Aasfar, A., Benhima, R. et al. Biostimulants Derived from Moroccan Seaweeds: Seed Germination Metabolomics and Growth Promotion of Tomato Plant. J Plant Growth Regul 40, 353–370 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-020-10104-5

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