Seaweed Liquid Extract: A Sustainable Biostimulant for Enhancing Germination and Growth in Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.

Seaweed extracts have attracted attention as natural bio stimulants due to their rich composition of bioactive compounds that enhance plant growth and development. The present study aimed to assess the effect of seaweed liquid extract made from three algae, a Caulerpa chemnitzia (Esper) J.V.Lamouroux (Chlorophyceae), Sargassum wightii Greville (Phaeophyceae) and Gracilaria corticata (J.Agardh) J.Agardh (Rhodophyceae), as a biostimulant agent in seed germination and vegetative growth of the plant Vigna unguiculata. Here, we found that the 60% extract promoted maximum root length and shoot length along with increased chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll and free amino acid content of the test plant. Furthering our knowledge of the potential biostimulant effect of seaweed liquid extracts could facilitate more sustainable food production.