Effects of cyanobacterium, leptolyngbya SP. and green microalga, chlorella sorokiniana as biofertilizers on in vitro seed priming and seedling growth of some economically important vegetables from pakistan

The cyanobacterium, Leptolyngbya sp. and green microalga, Chlorella sorokiniana as biofertilizers, play an important role in agriculture development. Due to a lack of information concerning microalgae as biofertilizers in crop production, the present research aimed to evaluate the possibility of increasing growth using microalgae as biofertilizers on seed germination of four commercially important vegetables i.e., radish (Raphanus sativus) subsp. sativus, spinach (Spinacia oleracea), turnip (Brassica rapa) subsp. rapa and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum). In the current study the fresh biomass of cyanobacterium, Leptolyngbya sp. and green microalga, C. sorokiniana was used as bio-fertilizers to note the effect on seed germination of four vegetables. The In vitro effects of bio-fetilizers were also noted on the different growth parameters i.e., germination percentage, days to germination (50%), plumule length, radical length, fresh weight and dry weight using Randomize Complete Designed (RCD) with factorial arrangement. The results compared with control showed an improved germination percentage using Leptolyngbya sp. (83.17%) and C. sorokiniana (80.47%). Both strains exhibited early germination (4.50 days) while C. sorokiniana showed the maximum plumule (33.88cm), radical length (4.46cm), fresh (1.38g) and dry weight (0.0708g) associated with Leptolyngbya sp. The treatment with B. rapa seed germination was 98.67% and took 1.78 days to germinate. The lowest germination (34.44%) was recorded in S. oleracea and took 6.56 days to germinate. After applying Leptolyngbya sp. on B. rapa and T. foenum-graecum seeds indicated the highest seed germination (99.67%). While B. rapa seeds germinated after one day while primed with C. sorokiniana. The maximum increase over check of germination percentage was observed in Leptolyngbya sp. (11.63%) and C. sorokiniana (8.60%). Both strains improved early germination (3.78%), plumule length (33.88%), radical length (60.31%), fresh weight (7.97%) and dry weight (5.79%). (author)