Annually, many parts of the world experience some level of drought which results in significant losses in crop productivity. While there are many ways that growers can become more efficient in their water delivery, fewer options exist for reducing plant stress and increasing water use efficiency within the plant. A common claim of biostimulant products is increased tolerance to abiotic stress, however benefits claimed in marketing materials are not always substantiated by science. With increased biostimulant-type products on the market, it is important to recognize that different biostimulants have different active compounds, and ingredients and the benefits will differ by product, even among similar products. Growth chamber studies indicate that plants treated with APH <i>A. nodosum</i> extract (AHP ANE) were slower to wilt and faster to recover from periods of drought. Delayed wilting in the treated soybeans was, at least in part, due to differences in transpiration compared to the control plants. Relative expression of genes associated with aquaporin proteins was increased in the treated plants compared to the control. The treated plants had much higher soil moisture content, higher relative leaf water content (over 50% increase) and reduced cell membrane damage (over 50% reduction as demonstrated by less electrolyte leakage). Improvements in antioxidant levels as well as enhanced expression of genes associated with antioxidant production indicate that higher levels of antioxidants may have played a role in reducing drought damage as well. Demonstrating these responses on woody species, has been more challenging due to variability in irrigation, soils and individual plants. Greenhouse trials on citrus showed that soil drench and foliar applications of APH ANE improved stem water potential and growth when plants were subjected to water stress. Field trials have shown similar response in almonds and pistachios. Regular soil applications of APH ANE resulted in less negative SWP, indicating higher water status, even though levels of applied irrigation were the same for both treatments. Under less stressed conditions, increases in tree growth, SPAD readings, and numerical increases in yield and quality were also seen. These results indicate the benefits of using biostimulants in agricultural production with and without stress conditions and lead us to a closer understanding of the mode of action of APH ANE.

Commercial <i>Ascophyllum nodosum</i> extracts (Acadian Plant Health) reduce plant stress resulting in improved plant growth and productivity

2019 Fall National Meeting

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Commercial Ascophyllum nodosum extracts (Acadian Plant Health) reduce plant stress resulting in improved plant growth and productivity