Effect of Limnospira maxima on physiological parameters of stevia Stevia rebaudiana Bert. and eggplant Solanum melongena L. under controlled conditions

Abstract

A strategy that could partially or totally reduce the use of chemical synthesis fertilizers is the application of cyanobacteria with agricultural potential that promote plant growth, which powers them in the conception of a sustainable agriculture. The study evaluated the effect of four concentrations of an extract of Limnospira maxima (0, 4, 8, and 12 mg mL-1), on some physiological aspects of Stevia rebaudiana and Solanum melongena in house vegetation. Treatments were arranged under a complete random design and parameters of gas exchange, chlorophyll a fluorescence, biometric characteristics and biomass distribution were measured. The most important results indicated that in Stevia rebaudiana and Solanum melongena the rates of net photosynthesis increased respectively by 40,03% and 22,45% when cyanobacteria was applied. On the other hand, plants of both species that were inoculated required less electrons to maximize their photosynthesis rates, increased leaf area, plant height and biomass distribution in roots and leaves. The most important physiological indicator was net photosynthesis and this was positively correlated with almost all the parameters studied. The results suggest that the use extracts of L. maxima may be a biotechnological alternative of organic fertilization useful for the development of sustainable agriculture.

Keywords

• cyanobacteria
• extract
• organic fertilization
• net photosynthesis
• fluorescence
• limnospira maxima