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- Enhancing growth, nutrient uptake and flowering of Tagetes patula plants through the application of suspensions of Chlorella vulgarisPublication . Vieira, João; Saque, Moisés; Viana, Catarina; Rodrigues, Maria Helena; Guerreiro David Coelho, Luísa Isabel; Gama, Florinda; Varela, João; Pereira, Hugo; Reis, Mário; Pestana, Maribela; Correia, Pedro JoséTagetes patula L. is a prominent plant that is frequently used for its ornamental value. Marigolds are sources of various compounds of great interest to agricultural, pharmaceutical, and nutritional industries. Microalgae can be applied as a biostimulant as they have multifunctional properties in agriculture, namely facilitating nutrient uptake, improving crop performance and physiological status, and thus increasing tolerance to abiotic stress. This study evaluated the efect of applying Chlorella vulgaris as a plant biostimulant on the growth and fowering of T. patula plants. Microalgae suspensions were applied to the substrate at concentrations of 0.5, 2.0 and 5.0 g dry weight (DW) L−1. A set of plants without the application of microalgae was used as control. The use of microalgae had a positive impact on plant growth. Specifcally, C. vulgaris application resulted in greater height, while the highest concentration (5.0 g DW L−1) resulted in higher fresh weight. Microalgae application signifcantly promoted the earlier fowering of marigolds. The macronutrient and micronutrient values were statistically similar between the control plants and those treated with microalgae. When considering only the treated plants, there was a signifcant correlation between the concentration of C. vulgaris and the concentrations of N, P, Mn and Cu in the shoots of T. patula plants. Plants receiving higher concentrations of C. vulgaris exhibited higher levels of these nutrients. These results highlight the potential use of Chlorella vulgaris as an efective biostimulant for enhancing the growth, fowering, and nutrient uptake of T. patula, ofering valuable applications for improving ornamental plant production and, ultimately, agricultural sustainability.
- Evaluation of Chlorella vulgaris application as a biostimulant for lettuce growth in soilless culturePublication . Vieira, João; Saque, Moisés; Gama, Florinda; Viana, Catarina; Guerreiro David Coelho, Luísa Isabel; Rodrigues, Maria Helena; Varela, João; Pereira, Hugo; Palencia, Pedro; Reis, Mário; Pestana, Maribela; Correia, Pedro JoséThis study evaluated the effect of Chlorella vulgaris application on the growth of soilless-grown lettuce (Lactuca sativa cv. 'Oreja de Mulo') cultivated outdoors. Microalgae suspensions were applied weekly at concentrations of 0.5, 2.0, and 5.0 g L(-)1. Plants grown without the application of microalgae were used as the control. Leaf chlorophyll concentration was registered at the beginning and at the end of the experiment, and biomass parameters were assessed at harvest. Compared with control, the highest concentration of C. vulgaris (CV5) exhibited the maximum increase in leaf area (67.4%), root fresh weight (138.7%), root volume (92.1%) and root dry weight (150.0%). This concentration further promoted higher accumulation of nitrogen (44.9%), phosphorus (96.4%), potassium (59.5%), and iron (Fe) (43.8%) in aerial parts of the lettuce plants These findings demonstrate the potential of C. vulgaris suspensions as effective biostimulants for improving growth, nutrient uptake, and biomass accumulation in hydroponic lettuce production, supporting more sustainable agricultural practices.