Biostimulant Activity of <i>Sargassum</i> sp. Extracts on Early Growth of <i>Zea mays</i> L. and the Phytohormones Content Analysis

Seaweed has been gaining global interest in agriculture for the development of marine-based plant biostimulants. This research aimed to study effect three different liquid extracts Sargassum sp., acidic, alkaline, and water extract, on germination early growth maize evaluate phytohormones content responsible growth. Phytohormones including Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), gibberellins (GA), kinetin zeatin were analyzed using high-performance chromatography (HPLC) bioassay was performed twice maize. Parameters observed percentage, number roots, shoot length, weight root under 4 concentrations with 0.5; 1.5; 3.5; 5% first 3.5% concentration second bioassay. Both bioassays following randomized complete design data one-way ANOVA post hoc test Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at error probability Genestat software. seaweed extract indicated that alkaline rich IAA, gibberellin, content, while showed highest content. The lower gave better all extracts, therefore a chosen higher replication each treatment. confirmed resulted seedling height, from acidic In conclusion, sp. obtained water-based extraction methods, able improve plants. promotion among other lowest