Effect of Different Concentration of Commercial Seaweed Liquid Extract of Ascophylum nodosum on Germination of Onion (Allium cepa L.)

Seaweed extracts are used as nutrient supplements, biostimulants, or biofertilizers in agriculture and horticulture to increase plant growth and yield. In this study, we examined the effect of Seaweed liquid fertilizer (SLF) made from Ascophylum nodusum as biostimulants on the germination and growth of Onion (Allium cepa) under natural conditions. We assessed SLF at different concentrations (T00ppm, T13500, T24500ppm, T35500ppm, T46500ppm and T57500ppm) on germination percentage and growth parameters (shoot length, root length) of onion seedlings. Germination was conducted on strip of filter paper on various paper plates and observation for parameters viz, germination percent, shoot length, root length was recorded on 10th& 14th day. Our results indicate that seeds treated with SLF at lower concentrations (5500ppm) showed enhanced germination percentage, shoot length and root length. The germination was observed higher in T3 (75 %) treatment in comparison to control and other treatments. The shoot length (7.72cm), root length (1.02cm) was reported higher in T3 treatment followed by T4 in comparison to all other treatments. Decreasing trend on germination, shoot and root length is observed at higher concentration. The conclusion of the present study is that Seaweed extract may play effective role by using as a priming agent in improving seed germination and seedling growth of onion seeds.