Effect of macro green algae extract on tomato (Lycopersicum sculentum Mill.) seedling growth characteristics

The effect of macro green algae (Chaetomorpha gracilis) inf Bandar-Abbas and filamentous green algae (Spirogyra sp.) in the Sirch river (Kerman Province) were assayed on growth characteristics of the tomato (Lycopersicum sculentum). In the seed priming experiment, we collected hot water extracts of green algae (Chaetomorpha gracilis) from Bandar Abbas seashores and filamentous green algae (Spirogyra sp.) from Sirch River, Kerman Province. Gold seaweed extract (commercial seaweed extract), distilled water, salicylic acid, ascorbic acid and control were used for the seed germination assay. Mean comparison of seed germination data revealed that Gold seaweed extract showed the highest germination percentage followed by extracts of filamentous green algae (Spirogyra sp.) from the Sirch River and Chaetomorpha gracilis from Bandar Abbas seashores. Primed seed with Chaetomorpha gracilis and Gold seaweed extract had the highest stem and root lengths. In the second experiment, we analyzed the effect of algae extract on growth characteristics of tomato seedlings, treatments of hot water extracts of Chaetomorpha gracilis and filamentous green algae of Sirch, Gold seaweed extract, liquid kelp foliar fertilizer, and distilled water under greenhouse conditions.  Extracts of Chaetomorpha gracilis, Gold seaweed and liquid kelp foliar fertilizer had the highest positive effects on root and shoot length, total chlorophyll and leaf width.