Synergism of microorganisms and seaweed extract on vegetative growth, yield and quality of cucumber fruit

Abstract

Natural biostimulants, such as microorganisms and seaweed extracts, are used in agriculture to improve crop yields with a sustainable approach. However, the interaction effects between different biostimulants have not been thoroughly investigated. The objective of this work was to evaluate the synergistic effects of microorganisms (Glomus intraradices and Azospirillum brasilense) and seaweed extract (Ascophyllum nodosum and Macrocytis pyrifera) on growth, yield and fruit quality of cucumber plants under soilless cultivation. Two doses of microorganisms (0 and 10 spores mL-1 + 106 CFU) and four concentrations of seaweed extract (0, 250, 500 and 2500 ppm) were evaluated. The experimental design used was a randomized complete block design with a factorial arrangement (2 x 4), with four replications per treatment. The results showed that the equatorial diameter of the fruit, yield and titratable acidity improve when applying microorganisms and seaweed extract in combination; however, when applying the two biostimulants the values ​​of plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, root length, biomass (fresh and dry), firmness, total soluble solids, vitamin C, chlorophyll (a and total) and indices of color (L* and b*) did not exceed those obtained when the biostimulants were applied individually. The combined application of microorganisms and seaweed extract improves cucumber yield, but not vegetative growth and, except for titratable acidity, fruit quality attributes.