Effects of Fermented Nori (<i>Pyropia yezoensis</i>) Liquid Fertilizer on Plant Growth Characteristics and Nutrient Content of Komatsuna (<i>Brassica rapa</i> L. var. Wakana Komatsuna) Cultivated in Vermiculite

Abstract

We conducted plant growth experiments in microbe-free vermiculite to study the effects of four types of fermented seaweed liquid fertilizer (SLF) made from nori ( Pyropia yezoensis ) seaweed on the germination, plant growth characteristics, SPAD value, and nutrient content and uptake of komatsuna ( Brassica rapa L. var. wakana komatsuna). The four types of fermented nori SLF used in this study were prepared by anaerobic fermentation of unwashed nori (SLF1), aerobic fermentation of unwashed nori (SLF2), anaerobic fermentation of washed nori (SLF3), and aerobic fermentation of washed nori (SLF4). Komatsuna seeds treated with 200-, 300-, and 400-fold dilutions of SLFs exhibited improved relative germination ratios (RGRs) at 3 and 4 days after sowing (DAS). At 4 DAS, the RGRs of seeds treated with 10-, 100-, 200-, 300-, and 400-fold SLF dilutions showed no differential effect. Seeds treated with undiluted SLFs did not germinate by 4 DAS. SLF1 may promote komatsuna seed germination. The nitrogen (N), calcium, magnesium, sodium (Na), and iodine (I) contents of plants treated with SLF1 were significantly increased relative to plants treated with the other SLFs. Moreover, the I and Na contents of plants were significantly increased by foliar spray application of different dilutions of SLF1. However, SLF treatment markedly reduced the shoot dry weight compared with 1/2-strength modified Hoagland nutrient (MHN) solution, although the same amounts of N and K were applied. SPAD values of the plants treated with SLFs were significantly higher than those of plants treated with MHN. Foliar treatment with SLFs had no significant effect on plant growth, SPAD value, or uptake of nutrients (except Na) relative to the control, but the I content was increased. Plants treated with SLF1 and SLF2 exhibited the highest Na uptake. Foliar spray treatments with SLF1 resulted in the highest I contents in plants. Based on our results, SLF1 is suitable for use as a liquid fertilizer to promote germination and increase nutrient content in komatsuna. These results need to be followed up in soil experiments in the presence of microbes in the rhizosphere.