Browsing by Author "Leitao, Daniela"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Effects of commercial kelp extract and plant growth regulators on growth of Gracilaria gracilis in culture
    (2005) Leitao, Daniela; Bolton, John J; Anderson, R J
    The addition of a local commercial seaweed extract (Kelpak®) to crop plants has proven to be beneficial as it improves growth and yields. Its efficiency has been attributed to its production method that involves a cold process, resulting in a product containing significant amounts of plant growth regulators (auxins and cytokinins). The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the effects of this commercial seaweed concentrate (Kelpak®) on the growth of Gracilaria gracilis (Stackhouse) Steentoft, Irvine et Farnham, with a view to the potential in mariculture, especially as this red seaweed is currently under cultivation in South Africa as feed in abalone aquaculture.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Effects of seaweed concentrate (Kelpak) on nitrogen fixation of cowpea (Vigna ungulata L. Walp.) and soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) and on the growth of their rhizobial symbionts (Bradyrhizobium strain CB756 and Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain CB1809)
    (2001) Leitao, Daniela; Dakora, Felix D
    Seaweed extracts are known to have a stimulatory effect on the growth and development of plants. This study investigated the effect of applying a commercial seaweed concentrate (kelpak) on rhizobia growth (Bradyrhizobium strain CB756 and Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain CB 1809) and nitrogen fixation in cowpea ( Vigna ungulata L. Walp.) and soybean (Glycine ma.x L. Merr.) plants. Two concentrations of Kelpak (1:100 v/v and 1:500 v/v seaweed concentrate dilutions) were applied to pots with seeds or seedlings at sowing and after every 14 days (1:l00A; 1:500A), at sowing and after every 7 days (1:100B; 1:500B) or after germination and after every 14 days (1: l00C; 1:500C). From the first experiment, cowpea plants in the various treatments showed no change in shoot biomass. The root biomass was significantly inhibited in treatment 1:100B relative to the control. The nodule dry matter of cowpea was reduced in 1:100A, 1:100B and 1:100C Kelpak concentrations compared to control, with a significant increase only in 1:100B Kelpak concentration. As a result, cowpea plants showed the highest total biomass in 1:500B treatment. Although shoot N in cowpea plants remained unchanged under the various kelpak treatments, root N was significantly reduced. Soybean plants showed a significant decrease in shoot and root biomass compared to the control. Nodule dry matter was lowest for soybean plants in Kelpak treatments 1:500B, 1:100B and 1:100C. As a result, there was a decrease in soybean total growth in treatment 1:500B compared to the control. Total N in shoots and roots was highest in soybean plants growing in 1:500A relative to the control. Culturing cells of Bradyrhizobium strain CB756 with Kelpak showed a significant increase in growth at 1:100 and 1:500 dilutions compared to the control. However, over the 93 h period with sterile Kelpak culture there was an inhibition in growth of strain CB756 relative to the control. Beyond the 93 h there was a significant increase in growth of Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain CB 1809 in all Kelpak treatments. The 1:100 concentration showed the highest bacterial growth compared to the control and the other treatments. These data suggests the presence of an active molecule in Kelpak that stimulates rhizobial growth and its symbiotic interaction with legumes.