Morpho-chemical diversity in Festuca pratensis and Lolium perenne depending on concentrations of Ecklonia maxima extract

Abstract

The aim of the research was to determine the relationship between application of various concentrations of Ecklonia maxima extract and development of some morphological features, the SAD index as well as selected organic compound content in Festuca pratensis and Lolium perenne. The experiment was replicated three times and the following concentrations of the extract were used: control, 0.04, 0.4, 4.0 and 40%. 40 days after the extract was sprayed on the plants the following measurements were taken: the number of shoots, the length of leaf blades, the width of the leaf base, the relative chlorophyll index SPAD, and the amount of biomass. The content of protein compounds, simple sugars, lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose were determined after the harvest. The research showed that there was a relationship between a higher concentration of the extract and a higher number of shoots, longer leaf blades and an increase in their width. In consequence of those changes the amount of biomass also increased. The plants sprayed with higher doses of extract had a higher SPAD index, a higher concentration of both protein compounds and simple sugars, and a lower concentration of cellulose, lignin and hemicellulose.