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Biostimulation of Moringa oleifera Lam. seedlings with freshwater microalgae extract (Spirulina)
Bio-estimulación de plántulas de Moringa oleifera Lam. con extracto de microalga dulceacuícola (Spirulina)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15446/rfnam.v79.119050Keywords:
Functional food, Mesoamerica, Moringaceae, Photosynthetic pigments (en)Alimento funcional, Mesoamérica, Moringaceae, Pigmentos fotosintéticos (es)
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The present study investigates the biostimulatory effect of extracts of the freshwater microalgae Spirulina on Moringa oleifera Lam. seedlings. There is a growing need to find sustainable alternatives in agriculture, especially for Moringa cultivation, which is known for its nutritional value and biomass production. This study aimed to evaluate the contribution of Spirulina extracts to the growth, development, and antioxidant components of M. oleifera seedlings grown in a greenhouse. The effect of the extract on plant and root morphology, leaf development indicators, and photosynthetic pigment content was evaluated using complete randomized blocks with four treatments and four replicates. The results showed that biostimulated seedlings with 2, 4, and 6 g L-1 Spirulina grew 13.57, 7, and 9% more compared to the absolute control (AC) (P≤0.01), respectively. The Gompertz, Logistics, and Bertalanffy models suggest that Moringa seedlings invest energy reserves from their cotyledons in the development of aerial organs, and this is compensated by active growth. Likewise, the experimental treatments increased the concentration of α, β, and total chlorophyll by 7, 16.6, and 11.4% compared to AC (P≤0.05). The application of Spirulina represents an effective strategy to optimize the growth of Moringa oleifera and enhance the functional and nutraceutical properties by increasing the content of photosynthetic pigments. This could have positive implications for sustainable agriculture and human and animal nutrition.
El presente estudio investigó el efecto bioestimulante de los extractos de la microalga dulceacuícola Spirulina en plántulas de Moringa oleifera Lam. Existe una creciente necesidad de encontrar alternativas sostenibles en la agricultura, especialmente en el cultivo de la Moringa, reconocida por su valor nutricional y la producción de biomasa. Se planteó como objetivo evaluar la contribución de los extractos de Spirulina al crecimiento, desarrollo y componente antioxidante de plántulas de M. oleifera cultivadas en condiciones de invernadero. Mediante un diseño de bloques completos al azar con cuatro tratamientos y cuatro réplicas se evaluó el efecto de los extractos en la morfología de la planta y de la raíz, en indicadores de desarrollo foliar y contenido de pigmentos fotosintéticos. Los resultados evidenciaron que las plántulas bio-estimuladas con 2, 4 y 6 g L-1 de Spirulina crecieron en 13,57, 7 y 9% más en comparación con el control (CA) (P≤0,01), los modelos de Gompertz, Logístico y Bertalanffy sugirieron que las plántulas de Moringa invierten las reservas energéticas del cotiledón en el desarrollo de órganos aéreos compensado con un crecimiento activo; igualmente los tratamientos experimentales incrementaron la concentración de clorofila α, β y total en 7, 16,6 y 11,4% respecto al CA (P≤0,05). La aplicación de Spirulina constituye una estrategia efectiva para optimizar el crecimiento de Moringa oleifera, y la modificación del carácter funcional o nutracéutico mediante el incremento del contenido de pigmentos fotosintéticos; lo que podría tener implicaciones positivas para la agricultura sostenible, nutrición del hombre y animales.
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