Role of Ulva rigida extract in alleviation of salinity stress on wheat plants

Abstract

Salt stress is a major adverse factor that can lower seed germination and seedlings growth, leading to reduced plant growth and ultimately lower crop productivity in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. In order to improve crop tolerance to this abiotic stress, many research studies have the importance of seaweed extract (SWE) in alleviating stress damage to plants. Seaweed extracts are used as nutrient supplements or biofertilizers in agriculture to increase plant growth and yield. In this study, we examined the effect of liquid seaweed extracts made from Ulva rigida on the growth of durum wheat (Durum triticum L) (cv Karim) under salt stress in laboratory and greenhouse conditions using foliar applications. We assessed SWE at different concentrations (0, 12.5, 25 and 50 %) on growth parameters (shoot length and shoot fresh weight) of wheat plants. Our results indicate that plants treated with SWE of Ulva rigida at lower concentrations (12.5 %) and under moderate salt stress showed enhanced growth (better response in shoot lenght and consequently greater fresh weight). Furthermore, Ulva rigida treatments increase activities of antioxidant enzyme systems to improve the growth of wheat plants under salt stress. This study provides important information on the identification and utilization of Moroccan seaweed resources as a source of liquid extracts as biostimulants in agriculture.