Aplicación de espirulina en el cultivo sin suelo de fresas cv. ‘Rociera’

Abstract

The use of microalgae extracts as a biostimulant may reduce the need for inorganic fertilizers, thereby decreasing the use of chemical products. This can promote plant growth and improve crop production by increasing chlorophyll content, antioxidant compounds, and the shelf life of harvested products. Spirulina (Spirulina platensis) also known as Arthrospira platensis, is a blue-green photosynthetic microalgae with high nutritional value. It is commercially used as a dietary supplement for humans, animal feed, and biofertilizer. Spirulina extract has been identified as a potential biofertilizer that can be applied to crops such as cotton, sugar cane, lettuce, maize, and tomato. The biomass of Spirulina contains proteins ranging from 64% to 71%, and can provide 10.9% N, 0.94% P, 1.1% K. The objective of this study was to assess the concentration of chlorophyll and N in the leaves using SPAD-502 values and count the number of fruits of strawberry plants (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) cv. 'Rociera' in a soilless culture treated continuously with spirulina microalgae. The study followed a randomized block design with three replications. The treatments were divided into three groups: the control group (T1) where no Spirulina extract was applied, the foliar application group (T2) where Spirulina extract was applied at 0.4 g/plant, and the application group (T3) where Spirulina extract was applied at 1.0 g/plant. The study found no significant differences in SPAD among the various microalgae applications. As a result, the leaves of 'Rociera' strawberry plants exhibited the same concentration of nitrogen in all treatments. However, there were significant differences in the mean number of fruits across the different treatments. The number of fruits in T2 treatment was higher than in the control plants (T1), with an average of 3.39 fruits per plant compared to 2.51 fruits per plant in T1 treatment