Abstract
Bioactive molecules derived from seaweed extracts are revolutionary bio-stimulants used to enhance plant growth and increase yield production. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a commercially available seaweed liquid extract, namely, True-Algae-Max (TAM(R)), as a plant growth stimulant on nutritional, and antioxidant activity of Capsicum annuum. Three concentrations of TAM(R) (0.25, 0.5, and 1%) of various NPK: TAM(R) ratios were investigated via foliar spray, over 2017 and 2018 cultivation seasons, under greenhouse conditions. TAM(R) is rich in phytochemical compounds, such as ascorbic acid (1.66 mg g(-1)), phenolics (101.67 mg g(-1)), and flavonoids (2.60 mg g(-1)) that showed good antioxidant activity (54.52 mg g(-1)) and DPPH inhibition of 70.33%. Promoting measured parameter results stated the extensive potentiality of TAM(R) application, in comparison with conventional NPK treatment. Yield and composition of C. annuum were significantly improved in all TAM(R) treated groups, especially the TAM(0.5%) concentration, which resulted in maximum yield (4.23 Kg m(-2)) and significant amounts of profuse biological molecules like chlorophyll, ascorbic, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and total nutrients. Compared to the NPK control treatments, C. annuum treated with TAM(0.5%) improved the total antioxidant activity of hot Pepper from 162.16 to 190.95 mg g(-1). These findings indicate that the extract of seaweed can be used as an environmentally friendly, multi-functional biostimulant in the agricultural field for more sustainable production, in addition to reducing the use of hazardous synthetic fertilizers.