Impact of soil application of seaweed extract on the performance of tomato under drought stress | |
| Author | Kanokkorn Piromsri |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.AS-21-02 |
| Subject(s) | Plants--Effect of stress on Plants--Drought tolerance Tomatoes Marine algae |
| Note | A Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Agricultural Systems and Engineering |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | At present, climate change has become the main issue around the world. It can threaten food safety and various crops which are major food sources of the world’s living things. Also, It can make many farmers face more challenges that can make farmers manage crops more difficult. Drought is environmental stress and become widespread in many areas; in addition, drought is the main threat to agricultural productivity. Tomato is an essential vegetable and has the highest area under cultivation among vegetables of the world. It was widely cultivated and consumed worldwide for its usefulness. However, both vegetative and reproductive growth of tomato can be severely affected by drought stress, such as inhibits seed development, reduces vegetative growth and compromises reproduction. Seaweed extracts is biostimulant can enhance soil health by improving moisture-holding capacity and by promoting other nutrients and the growth of beneficial soil microbes. In this study, the independent pot experiment was conducted to find out the best soil application of seaweed extract (Ascophyllum nodosum) on growth, fruit yield, quality, physiological traits of tomato. Seaweed extract was applied in five concentrations (0, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 mL L-1 ) under three soil moisture regimes (100%, 75%, and 50% field capacity [FC]). Severe soil moisture stress at 50% FC resulted in 67% decrease in fruit yield, 10% decrease in fruit length, 47% reduction in the number of fruit plant-1 , 33% reduction in irrigaion water productivity compared with 100% FC. Soil application of seaweed extract at 5mL L-1 was effective at all soil moisture levels. Soil application of seaweed extract at 5 mL L-1 resulted in 225% higher fruit yield in comparison with no application of seaweed extract at 50% FC. Tomato was a significant increase in growth and fruit yield when seaweed extract was applied at 5 mL L-1 as a soil application. In addition, The beneficial effects of 5 mL L–1 seaweed extract dose was also evident in fruit quality and physiological parameters of tomato. The result of this study indicates that 5 mL L -1 could be regarded as an optimum concentration of seaweed extract for tomato applied as a soil application. Thus, soil application of seaweed extract at 5 mL L −1 is effective to improve plant growth, fruit yield, fruit quality, physiological traits and imparting drought tolerance, moreover, seaweed extracts are considered organic substances as they are environmentally benign and safe for the health of animals and humans. |
| Year | 2021 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Agricultural Systems and Engineering (ASE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Datta, Avishek |
| Examination Committee(s) | Zulfiqar, Farhad;Ullah, Hayat |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Royal Thai Government Fellowship |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2021 |