Inter. J. of Phytotherapy / Vol 4 / Issue 3 / 2014 / 139-143.

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Print ISSN - 2249-7730

International Journal of Phytotherapy

www.phytotherapyjournal.com

INFLUENCE OF SEAWEED LIQUID FERTILIZER OF CAULERPA

PELTATA LAMOUR (GREEN SEAWEED) ON PENNISETUM
GLAUCUM (L.) R.Br., IN IDINTHAKARAI TAMIL NADU INDIA
Mahadevi B and John Peter Paul J*
Research Department of Botany, St. Xaviers College (Autonomous), Palayamkottai 627 002, Tamil Nadu, India.
ABSTRACT
The present study was aimed to explore the influence of Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer of Caulerpa peltata
Lamouron seed germination, shoot length, root length, biochemicals and pigment content of Pennisetum glaucum
(L.) R.Br. collected from Idinthakarai in the south east coast of Tamil Nadu, India. The Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer
made using Caulerpa peltata Lamour was observed to have the positive effect on the shoot and root length of
Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br. The biochemicals such as total carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, phenols, chlorophylls
and carotenoids were increased when Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.treated up to 10% of Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer.
The seed germination, shoot length, root length, biochemical and pigment content were high in 10% SLF. From the
study, it was concluded that Caulerpa peltata Lamour can be used as biofertilizer for the growth of Pennisetum
glaucum (L.) R.Br.
Key words: Green seaweed, Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer, Caulerpa peltata, Pennisetum glaucum .

INTRODUCTION
Seaweeds are the macroscopic marine algae
found attached to the bottom in relatively shallow coastal
waters. Seaweeds grow in the intertidal, shallow and deep
sea areas up to 180 meter depth and also in estuaries and
backwaters on the solid substrate such as rocks, dead
corals and pebbles. Seaweed zone is one of the
conspicuous and wide spread biotope in the shallow
marine environment. Seaweeds are totally different from
higher plants as they neither have true leaves, stems and
roots nor vascular systems none specialized sex organs
[1]. Seaweeds are one of the most important marine
resources of the world and being used as human food,
animal feed and raw material for many industries. They
are also used as manure for agricultural and horticultural
crops due to the presence of minerals, trace elements and
plant growth regulators which occur in water soluble form
[2] and enhances the disease resistance in field crops [3].

In recent years soil fertility is diminishing

gradually due to soil erosions, loss of nutrient,
accumulation of salts and other toxic elements, water
logging and unbalanced nutrient compensation. Organic
wastes and biofertilizers are the alternate sources to meet
the nutrient requirement of crops and to bridge the future
gaps. Farming regions that emphasizing heavy chemical
application lead to adverse environmental, agricultural
and health consequences. Many efforts are being
exercised to combat the adverse consequences of
chemical farming [4]. Biofertilizers, the organic manuring
and biocontrol have emerged as a promising component
of integrating nutrient supply system in agriculture.
Organic farming production system aims at promoting
and enhancing agro ecosystem health, biodiversity,
biological cycles and soil biological activities. Crop plants
remove varying amounts of different nutrients from soil

Corresponding Author: - John Peter Paul J. Email: johnarock2008@yahoo.com

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and to compensate the loss from the soil, organic

amendments rich in nutrients must be added [5]. In
organic farming microorganisms, macro organisms
deliver a smorgasbord of minerals, vitamins and other
nutrients to the crop at a metered place. Seaweeds are the
macroscopic marine algae and its use as manure in
farming practices is very ancient and was prevalent
among various parts of the world. The seaweeds are used
directly, after composting or after preparing Seaweed
Liquid Fertilizer [6].
Seaweed Liquid Fertilizers are important to
environment friendly stainable agricultural practices.
They can be conveniently produced by immersing
powdered seaweeds in water and partially substituted the
chemical fertilizers to avoid environmental pollution.
Seaweed extracts excrete a great number of substances
that influence plant growth and development. Seaweed
Liquid Fertilizers have been reported to benefit plants by
producing growth promoting regulators, vitamins, amino
acids, polypeptides, antibacterial and antifungal
substances that improve plant growth and productivity
[7]. John Peter Paul and Mahadevi [8] recently found that
Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer prepared using Caulerpa
peltata Lamour significantly increased seed germination,
root length, root length, biochemicals such as total
carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, phenols and pigments like
total chlorophylls and carotenoids of Vigna radiata (L.)
R. Wilczek. In the light of above mentioned reviews, it
was of particular interest to evaluate Caulerpa peltata
Lamour as organic fertilizer in order to improve the yield
quality and productivity of Pennisetum glaucum (L.)
R.Br. Hence the present study was conducted to find out
the influence of Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer of Caulerpa
peltata Lamour on the growth and biochemical
parameters of Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Collection of sample
Caulerpa peltata Lamour (Figure 1) is green
seaweed shows much attention in the recent years due to
native vegetation. Caulerpa peltata Lamour was collected
from Idinthakarai, Tirunelveli district in the south east
coast of Tamil Nadu, India during the month of January
2014. Samples were rinsed with marine water to remove
debris and epiphytes. The entire epiphytes were removed
using soft brush. In the laboratory, the seaweeds are once
again washed in freshwater and stored in refrigerator for
further analysis [9].
Selection and Surface Sterilization of Seeds
Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br. is one of the
common cereals and cultivated since ancient times in
India. Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br. is properly grown
in almost all the states of south India. Therefore,
Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.was selected in the present
study. About 100 seeds the test plant immersed in a

beaker of water. The seeds which floated on the surface of

water were removed. The seeds which sunk to the bottom
of the beaker were selected for the study [10]. The
selected seeds were washed in running tap water for 5
minutes and rinsed with distilled water for 5 minutes.
After washing, the seeds were sterilized by keeping in
0.1% mercuric chloride for 5 minutes. The surface
sterilized seeds were washed in distilled water and rinsed
5 times for 5 minutes each [11]. The surface sterilized and
rinsed seeds were employed for the present study.
Preparation of Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer
Air dried plant sample was finely ground with
mortar and pestle and 10g was weighed on electronic
balance. 100ml distilled water was added. The mixture
was incubated for two days (48h). Thereafter, the extract
was filtered through What-man No.1 filter paper. Now,
the extract was made up into 100ml with distilled water
(10%). From this, various concentrations of extract were
prepared using distilled water in the following manner,
Percentage of
Conc.
Control
2.5%
5.0%
7.5%
10%

Extracts (ml)
25
50
75
100

Distilled water
(ml)
100
75
50
25
-

Bio Assay
Ten seeds were germinated in shade using Petri
plates at room temperature (33C) for each treatment. For
each treatment, 10 seeds were placed in sterilized Petri
plates on Whatman No.1 filter paper and 5ml of aqueous
extractions (2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5% and 10%) were added on
the first day. Controls were treated with an equal volume
of distilled water [12]. The same volume of extracts and
distilled water were added on subsequent days on daily
basis [13]. The treatments were replicated three times in a
completely randomized manner. Followed by total
carbohydrates [14], total protein [15], total lipid [16], total
phenol [17], total chlorophyll and total carotenoids [18]
were also estimated. The results obtained were tabulated
and presented in the figures.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Effect of Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer of Caulerpa peltata
Lamour on Shoot and Root Length Pennisetum
glaucum (L.)R.Br.
The Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer of Caulerpa
peltata Lamour was used as base for Pennisetum glaucum
(L.) R.Br. Germination of seed was analyzed on 4th day
and frequency of germination was found to be 100% in
control and all the treatments. The experiment results
showed the stimulation both in shoot and root growth.
Average shoot length in control was found to be 4.8cm

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(100%). The minimum spur of shoot length was observed

to be 5.4cm in 2.5% concentration of SLF which
stimulated 12.50% over control. Followed by the shoot
growth was further increased to 5.4cm in 5.0% (22.91%)
and 5.9cm in 7.5% (29.16%). When the concentration of
SLF increased to 10%, the maximum stimulationof shoot
length was reached to 6.7cm (39.58%). Average root
length in control was found to be 7.5cm (100%). The
minimum stimulation of root length was observed in 2.5%
at 8.2cm concentration of SLF (9.33%). Followed by the
root growth was increased to 8.8cm in 5.0% (17.33%) and
9.7cm in 7.5% (29.33%). When the concentration of SLF
was increased to 10%, the maximum stimulationof root
length was reached to 10.4cm at 38.66% (Table 1 &
Figure 2).
Effect of Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer of Caulerpa peltata
Lamour on Biochemicals synthesis of Pennisetum
glaucum (L.) R.Br.
After the treatment of various concentration of
SLF on Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br., the plants were
examined for various biochemical compounds and
pigments (Table 2). As shown in Figure 3, Total
carbohydrates content in control was 198mg/gm, followed
by increasing trend of carbohydrates was recorded in
2.5% (209mg/g), 5.0% (218mg/g), 7.5% (235mg/g) and
10% (244mg/gm). Total protein content in control was
found to be 136mg/gm, followed by 2.5% (141mg/g),
5.0% (148mg/g), 7.5% (154mg/g) and 166mg/gm in 10%.
Total lipid content in control was found to be 76mg/g.
The amount of lipid in 2.5% was 88mg/g, followed by
increasing trend was observed to 95mg/g (5.0%),
106mg/g (7.5%) and 117mg/g (10%). Total phenol
content in control was 79mg/gm, followed by increasing
trend of phenols was noted in 2.5% (90mg/g), 5.0%
(102mg/g), 7.5% (109mg/g) and 10% (123mg/gm).
As presented in Figure 4, Total chlorophyll
content in control was 2.99mg/gm, followed by 2.5%
(3.12mg/g), 5.0% (3.25mg/g), 7.5% (3.39mg/g) and
3.45mg/gm in 10%. Total carotenoid in control was
recorded to be 0.97mg/g. The carotenoid content in 2.5%
was 1.14mg/g, followed by increasing trend was observed
to 1.28mg/g (5.0%), 1.39mg/g (7.5%) and 1.48mg/g
(10%). When the concentrations of Seaweed Liquid

Fertilizer Caulerpa peltata Lamour were increased, all the

phytochemical contents were also increased.
Both the Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer treated seeds
and control showed higher 100% of germination. The
effect of SLF generally proved at low concentration is
beneficial for the seeding growth. In the present study it
was observed that the increased root and shoot length was
observed at 10% concentrations of SLF treated plants.
The decrease in root and shoot length was observed at
7.5%, 50% and 2.5% concentration of SLF than the
control. Similar results were recorded in Cajanus cajan
[19] and red gram [20]. It was reported that the presence
of plant growth regulators, trace elements, vitamins and
micronutrients in the low concentration of SLF enhance
the growth of root and shoot [21]. An increase in the
number biochemicals such as total carbohydrates,
proteins, lipids and phenols were observed to be high in
10% SLF compared to other concentrations like 2.5%,
5.0% and 7.5% SLF treated Pennisetum glaucum (L.)
R.Br. plants. It was noticed that more amount of
biochemicals in 2.5%, 5.0% and 7.5% SLF treated seeds
than the control.
In the present study higher amount of
chlorophylls and carotenoids were found in the leaves of
Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.treated with 10%
concentration of SLF than that of other lower
concentration of SLF (2.5%, 5.0% and 7.5%). The
minimum chlorophylls and carotenoids content was
observed in control plant compared than SLF treated
plants. The high chlorophyll content in the plants treated
with Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer may be due to the
presence of betains [22]. The plant growth substance
present in Seaweed liquid fertilizer also enhances the
chlorophyll and carotenoid contents in the leaves [23].
Similar results obtained in the biochemicals and pigments
content with the Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer of Ulvarigida
[24], Colpomenia sinuosa [25] and Gracilaria corticata
[26]. From the above results it has been suggested that the
Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer from Caulerpa peltata Lamour
can be used at low concentrations for enhancing the seed
germination and seedling growth and biochemical and
pigment contents of cultivated crops Pennisetum glaucum
(L.) R.Br.

Table 1. Effect of Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer of Caulerpa peltata Lamouron shoot and root length of Pennisetum
glaucum (L.) R.Br.
Seed germination
Shoot length
Increased Shoot
Root length
Increased root length
Treatment
(%)
(cm)
length (%)
(cm)
(%)
100
4.80.04
7.50.22
Control
100
5.40.11
12.50
8.20.08
9.33
2.5%
100
5.90.13
22.91
8.80.14
17.33
5.0%
100
6.20.08
29.16
9.70.17
29.33
7.5%
100
6.70.11
39.58
10.40.05
38.66
10%

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Table 2. Effect of Seaweed Fertilizer of Caulerpa peltata Lamour on different Biochemicals of Pennisetum glaucum
(L.) R.Br.
Biochemicals (mg/g)
Concentration of Plant Extracts
Control
2.5%
5.0%
7.5%
10%
198*
209*
218*
235*
244*
Total Carbohydrates
136*
141*
148*
154*
166*
Total Proteins
76*
88*
95*
106*
117*
Total Lipids
79*
90*
102*
109*
123*
Total Phenols
2.99*
3.12*
3.25*
3.39*
3.45*
Total Chlorophylls
0.97*
1.14*
1.28*
1.39*
1.48*
Total Carotenoids
* An average of Triplicates
Figure 1. Natural Habit of Caulerpa peltata Lamour

CONCLUSION
From the present study, it can be concluded that
Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer using the green seaweed
Caulerpa peltata Lamour applied to Pennisetum glaucum
(L.) R.Br. showed better results in all aspects of growth,
yield, biochemical production and pigment concentration.
It is doubtless with the presence of mineral contents,
growth regulatory substances and nutrients in more

amounts in Caulerpa peltata Lamour, an important green

seaweed in the south east coast of Tamil Nadu, India.
Seaweed Liquid Fertilizers are economical alternatives to
chemical fertilizers with a lowering of cost and is also
environmentally friendly. Seaweed Liquid Fertilizers can
be applied to various crop plants in order to enrich the
nutrient content of the soil and intern to increase the
growth and yield of cultivable plants.

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