Microalga improve the growth, yield, and contents of sugar, amino acid, and protein of tomato

Abstract

ABSTRACT The development of sustainable ways to increase crop productivity is essential to meet the growing demand for food. Microalgae are rich in bioactive molecules and can be produced on a large scale and at a low cost. Therefore, we hypothesized that the microalga Asterarcys quadricellulare (CCAP 294/1), a rich source of free L-amino acids, can increase the growth and yield of tomatoes. To determine the potential of A. quadricellulare, we performed a two-year study by applying A. quadricellulare biomass using a foliar spray on tomato plants. In the first season, weekly applications were performed during the full cycle of tomatoes. The effect of A. quadricellulare biomass of 0.05, 0.15, 0.25, and 0.40 g L-1 on tomato yield was determined through regression analysis. In the second season, the solution of 0.25 g L-1, which showed the best results, was tested on two tomato cultivars using a weekly and a biweekly frequency of application. Both cultivars were positively affected by the application of biomass, which promoted the increase in leaf area and yield, along with higher contents of sugar, free amino acid, and protein. Thus, we determined the role of A. quadricellulare as an effective biofertilizer in tomatoes.