Biostimulation effect on Crithmum maritimum L. root development in controlled environments

Abstract

Biostimulants can be used in sustainable agriculture as they are regarded as inputs with minimal environmental impact. When applied to the root systems of certain plant species, microbial inoculants confer physiological and morphological benefits to the entire plant. In the present study, we focused on some morphometric parameters of the root system of two Crithmum maritimum L. spontaneous populations (Mediterranean and Atlantic). We compared the effects of two different (for number of strains) biostimulants on the weight, length, diameter, and number of tips on the root system. The experiment was conducted in two controlled environments: i) an incubator in which seeds were placed in Petri dishes on Whatman filter paper and ii) a greenhouse where seeds were placed in pots containing seeding substrate. Under incubator conditions, the biostimulant application showed, on average, a stimulating effect on the analyzed root parameters. Specifically, it increased weight by approximately 85%, diameter by 25%, and length by about 128% compared to the control. Similarly, under greenhouse conditions, the biostimulant application showed favorable effects on the analyzed root variables, exhibiting an increase in root weight by approximately 66%, diameter by 25%, length by about 75%, and number of tips by 56% compared to the control. The present study suggests the potential use of biostimulants during the nursery phases of production to ease the establishment of alternative crops such as Crithmum maritimum in cropping systems for which it is necessary to implement the agronomic technique and encourage rapid colonization in contexts otherwise at risk of desertification.