Paper Details

PJB-2024-451

Effect of fermented Sargassum-based bio-fertilizer on germination growth and photosynthesis in cucumber and tomato seedlings: a comparative study

Xiyuan Zhang, Yuxin Zhang, Wei Qu and Muhammad Waseem Abbasi
Abstract

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In recent years, the adverse effects of excessive use of chemical fertilizers in agricultural production have become increasingly evident, and environmental problems have also been caused worldwide. Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.) and tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) are crops with high output and consumption worldwide. Seaweed fertilizer is a kind of fermentation product obtained by processing seaweed. However, on which dilution factor of seaweed fertilizer has the best effect on the development of crop seedlings is yet to be determined. In this study, we investigated various dilutions of the seaweed fertilizer to determine the most appropriate dilution that has the most potent effect on the growth of cucumber and tomato seedlings. Studies have shown that when the dilution factor of the seaweed fertilizer dilution is 0.6%-1.2%, it substantially improves the seed germination indices, including Germination energy and Germination rate of cucumber and Tomato seedlings. Similarly, moderate seaweed fertilizer concentrations (0.8%) enhanced both crops' leaf and cotyledon areas. Stem thickness and height were also increased after applying seaweed fertilizers (from 0.6 to 1%). Photosynthetic pigments, including Chlorophyll ‘a’, chlorophyll “b”, total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, were also higher after moderate applications of seaweed fertilizer. The research results can be used as a reference for applying seaweed fertilizer dilution in cucumber and tomato seedling breeding

To Cite this article: Zhang, X., Y. Zhang, W. Qu and M.W. Abbasi. 2026. Effect of fermented Sargassum-based bio-fertilizer on germination growth and photosynthesis in cucumber and tomato seedlings: a comparative study. Pak. J. Bot., 58(2): DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30848/PJB2026-2(9)  
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