Sathyam Bio

Objectives: 

The primary objectives of the proposal are to evaluate the two different seaweed products developed by Sathyam Bio (P) Ltd., of i.  O M-EM-M A GEL, and ii. 06 Special Liquid on two crops namely: Paddy and tomato.  The seaweed products will be assessed for every month for the presence of different macro and micro nutrients, Plant Growth Regulators such as auxin, gibberellins and cytosine and microbial load for a period of six months from in order to assess their shelf life.  Further, the efficacy of the two products at different concentrations and dosage will be made on two different commercial crops such as Paddy and Chilly under glass house condition.  It is intended to suggest the recommended concentration and dosage to the selected plants for mass cultivation under field.  Further, their bio pesticide property of the products will be assessed against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, a bacterium causes leaf blight disease of paddy.  

Background:

The Principal Investigator and his group are familiar by assessing different seaweed products derived from green seawee - Ulva lactuca, brown seaweed – Sargassum and red seaweed – Kappaphycus Alvarez  and assessed their potential against different crops.  Four of his students out of 26 students awarded Ph.D. degrees exclusively worked on the above aspects.  So far more than 10 articles have been published in reputed journals.

Methodology:

Twelve sets of two different products (24 samples of each 2 Kg) produced by the Concern on the same time such as i. O M-EM-M A GEL, and ii. 06 Special Liquid will be obtained from the Sathyam Bio (P) Ltd.  Every month one set of the two different products will be estimated/recorded for different macro-nutrients like N, P, K and other micro-nutrients like Mn, Cu, Mg, S etc., as well as Plant Growth Regulators such as Auxin, Gibberellin and Cytokinin for a period of twelve months.  In addition Colony Forming Units of Bacteria will be recorded. This will help us to assess their shelf life of seaweed products.

The efficacy of two different products at different concentrations will be made on germination and early growth of two different plants namely, Paddy and Chilly (seeds obtained from local market) and determined suitable concentration for good growth.  Different physical and biochemical characteristics of the treated plants will be made at different intervals.  Further, Glass house trial will be conducted on Paddy and Chilly up to the yield to determine the efficacy of the two products at different concentrations and dosage along with different concentrations of recommended rate of chemical fertilizer as suggested by the Department of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu.  In general, the availability of macro nutrients such as N, P, K in seaweed products seems to be less whereas the seaweed products have sufficient amounts of micro-nutrients and plant growth regulators.  By keeping the concept it is necessary to promote seaweed products along with chemical fertilizers in order to achieve maximum growth and yield.  This study helps us to evaluate the significance of the two products by reducing the chemical cost of chemical fertilizer.  For example 50% recommended rate of chemical fertilizer along with 1% seaweed product(s) for Paddy and Chilly presumably give good growth and yield.  Based on the experiments it is possible to extend recommendations to the farmers to include seaweed product(s) for enhanced growth and yield.

Soil Structure and Moisture Retention :

Seaweeds also affect the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil which in turn influence plant growth. Seaweeds and seaweed extracts enhance soil health by improving moisture-holding capacity and by promoting the growth of beneficial soil microbes. Brown seaweeds are rich in polyurethanes such as alginates and fucoidans.
The gelling and chelating abilities of these polysaccharides coupled with their hydrophilic properties make these compounds important in  the agriculture. Alginate occurs in the cell walls of seaweeds as a mixed salt with the major cations being Na, Ca, Mg, and K together with a number of minor metal counter-ions.

The widespread interest in alginate is due in part to its biodegradable nature and the relatively non toxic nature of this natural compound.Salts of alginic acid combine with the metallic ions in the soil to form high-molecular-weight complexes that absorb moisture, swell, retain soil moisture, and improve crumb structure. This results in better soil aeration and capillary activity of soil pores which in turn stimulate the growth of the plant root system as well as boost soil microbial activity.

Enhancing the ability of water absorption and maintenance and resistance to drought and cold:

The product contains mannitol which can enhance water absorption ability and increase the content of chlorophyll in plant leaves and the leaf area by 10%. The Seaweed Extract contains abscisic acid which can adjust the open and close of air hole in plant leaves,reducing loss of water and saving one third of water and fertilizer.

Enhancing the resistance to pests and diseases and stresses:

Phenol polymers and betaine contained can adjust the osmotic pressure of cell fluids and chloroplast to protect the activities of enzymes in plant cells, and markedly enhance the resistance of plant to pests, fungus, diseases and adverse factors.  The product contains iodide, copper, and zinc which could combine with humid acids to form a stable complex resistant to plant diseases.

Effective soil amendment:

Extract of algae can combine with humid acids in soil enhancing aggregate structure and its water maintenance ability by 10 times and aggregation force by 7 times, activating micro-elements in soil, improving the development of roots, enhancing the ability of roots to absorb nutrients in soil, and modifying soil fertility.