EFFECT OF SEAWEED LIQUID FERTILIZER (SLF) OF CYSTOSEIRA INDICA ON THE GERMINATION RATE OF CHICKPEA (CICER ARIETINUM L.)

Authors

  • HAFSAH Department of Botany, University of Karachi
  • AMARAH Department of Botany, University of Karachi
  • HINA SHEHNAZ Environmental Sciences Department, Sindh Madrassatul Islam University Karachi
  • AMIR HAIDER Chemico Bacteriological Laboratory, Department of Health, Government of Sindh Services Hospital Karachi
  • LAILA SHAHNAZ Department of Botany, University of Karachi

Abstract

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an annual plant that is found in temperate and semiarid areas of the world including Pakistan. Since Pakistan has a coastal belt that is home to different types of seaweeds, this study was conducted to observe the effects of seaweed Cystoseira indica on the germination rate of Desi and Kabuli chickpeas. Five concentrations of seaweed liquid fertilizer (SLF), 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5% were tested for both varieties of chickpeas. The germination percentage and initial lengths of plumules and radicles were observed daily. Results showed that germination started earlier than usual in all concentrations. Overall, Desi chickpeas responded well in lower concentrations of SLF (1% and 2%), whereas Kabuli chickpeas showed promising results in higher concentration (4%), and the difference between control and SLF was less. This study concludes that seaweed liquid extract of Cystoseira indica can be used for a better germination rate of chickpeas.

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Published

2024-02-19

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 1 (2023): FUUAST Journal of Biology

Section

Articles

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