Cashew Rootstock Production Using Spirulina platensis Biomass

HIGHLIGHTS

• The use of Spirulina platensis increased the growth of cashew seedlings.

• S. platensis increased the accumulation of plant biomass of cashew seedlings.

• S. platensis can be used as a biostimulant for plant production.

Abstract

Microalgae are considered a rich source of biostimulants for plants, as an excellent business opportunity for the agricultural sector, as they can activate plant metabolism, contributing to the improvement in physiological performance, phytomass and, subsequently, vigor and quality of seedlings. The objective of this work was to evaluate the potential of Spirulina platensis biomass, in enabling improvements in physiological performance, phytomass and, subsequently, vigor and quality of cashew rootstock seedlings. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse in a completely randomized design, in a 4 x 2 factorial scheme (concentrations x rootstock), with three replications. The concentrations used were 0%, 0.04%, 0.08%, and 0.12% and the FAGA and CCP 76 genotypes. The seeds were immersed in the solutions for 12 hours. Applications were made via the leaves at 30 days after sowing (DAS), with an interval of seven days between each application and at 90 DAS evaluations were made. The FAGA and CCP 76 genotypes showed a positive response to the supply of S. platensis, with concentrations 0.04% and 0.08% which provided greater root length, aerial part length, number of leaves, diameter and leaf area. Concentrations 0.04% and 0.08% also promoted better percentages in the physiology of the CCP 76 genotype, while the FAGA genotype showed opposite action, which may be related to the mode of action of the microalgae on the different genetic and phenotypic characteristics of each genotype. The 0.12% concentration provided greater accumulations of aerial part and total dry mass to the genotypes.

Keywords:
Anacardium occidentale; biotechnology; microalgae; propagation; quality; vigor