Application of Seaweed Organic Components Increases Tolerance to Fe Deficiency in Tomato Plants

Abstract

The beneficial effects of seaweed extracts have been related to plant growth regulators

present in seaweeds. However, algae extracts comprise other organic compounds such as phenols,

mannitol, alginates, laminarins, and fucoidans that may have a relevant role regarding abiotic

stress tolerance due to nutrient deficiency. Therefore, we evaluated the individual effect of these

organic compounds in a range of concentrations on the mitigation of Fe deficiency in tomato plants.

Germination and plant growth promotion, root morphology, chlorophyll content, and antioxidant

activity were determined. Results showed that the lowest concentration of phenolics, laminarin, and

fucose compounds contributed to increasing the tolerance to Fe deficiency in tomato plants.