Ascophyllum nodosum Extract and Its Organic Fractions Stimulate Rhizobium Root Nodulation and Growth of Medicago sativa (Alfalfa)

Abstract

The effects of the seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum extracts (ANE) on nitrogen (N)-fixing nodules and growth of alfalfa plants were studied under greenhouse conditions. The treatment of alfalfa roots increased the number of total nodules per plant with ANE (69%) and organic sub-fractions methanol (20%) and chloroform (35%) at 1 g L-1 concentration. The number of functional nodules was greater per plant in ANE (36%) and its organic sub-fraction chloroform (105%). Maximum increase in shoot length was observed in ANE-treated plants (42%) and chloroform-treated plants (42%). Root length was longer in the chloroform fraction (15%), whereas the shoot dry-weight accumulation was greater in plants treated with ANE (118%), methanol (85%), and chloroform (85%) than the control. Root dry-weight accumulation increased in plants treated with ANE (118%) and chloroform (69%) compared to the control. Further studies are under way to identify the chemical components in ANE and organic fractions. © 2013 Copyright Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.