Evaluation of Growth Parameters on Carpobrotus edulis, Kalanchoe daigremontiana and Kalanchoe tubiflora in Relation to Different Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer (SLF) as a Biostimulant

The aim of this research was to evaluate the biofertilization capacity of five
different species of algae, representative of the three main groups of
macroalgae selected from Lake Ganzirri in Messina, Venice Lagoon and
Norwegian coasts. The experiments, started in January 2021, were conducted
in the greenhouses of CREA-OF in Pescia (Pt), Tuscany, Italy (43°54′N
10°41′E) on Carpobrotus edulis, Kalanchoe daigremontiana and Kalanchoe
tubiflora from seed. The test showed a significant increase in the agronomic
parameters analysed in plants treated with algae extracts on succulents
cultivated. The test also showed increased control of the pathogen Pythium
debaryanum in seedlings where the algae extracts were introduced and also an
increase in the percentage of seed germination and a reduction in the average
germination time. This research work has shown that algal species have great
potential for use in the development of biofertilisers in sustainable agriculture
in terms of cost-effectiveness, ecological role, possible reduction of synthetic
fertilisers and plant protection products, increased soil fertility and
microbiological diversity.