Cotton (
Gossypium hirsutum
L.) production is constrained by water scarcity, and sustainable strategies are needed to improve resilience and productivity. Seaweed extract–based biostimulants (SEBs) are natural materials with the potential to enhance stress tolerance and nutrient use efficiency. This study evaluated the effects of four foliar SEB application treatments on cotton under water restriction: an untreated control (T1), four foliar applications of SEB at early cotton growth stages (T2), foliar application every 15 days (T3), and monthly foliar application (T4) at two sites. SEB application improved macronutrient and micronutrient uptake (K, Ca, Fe, and Cu). It also reduced oxidative damage by decreasing hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde contents. Additionally, SEB enhanced water‐use efficiency, carboxylation efficiency, plant height, and productive parameters. Monthly application was the most effective, increasing seed fiber yield by 9.77% (371.14 kg ha
−
1
) and 6.0% (225.0 kg ha
−
1
) compared with the control in the first and second growing seasons, respectively. Monthly SEB application also improved fiber quality by increasing micronaire and reducing the short fiber index. Our findings indicate that SEB application is a sustainable strategy for enhancing cotton nutrition, physiology, productivity, and quality. A monthly application frequency offers a viable approach to maximizing the benefits of biostimulant use in cotton production and contributing to more sustainable agricultural practices.
A. E. S. de Souza, L. Moretti, J. W. Bossolani et al.· Agronomy Journal· 0 citations
Introduction Cotton is a crop of major economic importance, often cultivated under environmental conditions that expose plants to abiotic stresses such as heat and water deficit, which negatively affect physiological performance and yield. Biostimulants have emerged as promising tools to enhance plant resilience and productivity under such conditions. Methods This study evaluated the effects of foliar application of a novel biostimulant “SB”, based on a Glicoligno Lipidic Complex, at different dose rates on antioxidant metabolism, photosynthetic performance, agronomic traits, and boll yield of cotton grown under central Brazil conditions. The treatments promoted significant improvements in physiological efficiency, particularly at higher application rates, with the 2.0 L ha-¹ dose showing the most pronounced responses. Results and discussion Foliar application of the novel biostimulant SB (Glicoligno Lipidic complex) significantly improved physiological and agronomic performance of cotton grown under central Brazil conditions. SB enhanced net photosynthesis (A) by up to 15.3%, and water use efficiency (WUE) by 12-20.5% (p > 0.1) across the evaluated cultivars and application times. Also, it increased RuBisCO activity by 9–22.4%, and improved chlorophyll and carotenoid contents (p > 0.05) by up to 25.2% and 16.3%, respectively. Antioxidant responses were modulated, with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels reduced (p > 0.1) by up to 12.4% and 14.3%, respectively, indicating reduced oxidative stress. These physiological benefits translated into higher reproductive success, with number of bolls per plant increased by approximately 30% in cultivar C1 and boll weight increasing by 6–6.3% in C2. Overall fiber seed yield was enhanced (p > 0.05) by 6.9% in C1 (p > 0.1) (cultivar 1; FM 911GLTP) and 5.6% in C2 (cultivar 2; FM974 GLT). The results highlight SB as an effective foliar biostimulant that improves photosynthetic efficiency, stress tolerance, and yield formation, supporting cotton productivity under variable field conditions.
L. Moretti, J. W. Bossolani, J. Portugal et al.· Frontiers in Plant Science· 0 citations
We use cookies to run the site and, with your consent, for analytics and to show ads.
See our Cookie Policy.
