ABSTRACT Fusarium is the main disease of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) in Brazil, and grafting using resistant rootstocks can be a sustainable management strategy. Several wild Piper species have been considered resistant to infection. However, further studies on the grafting process are needed to generate a safe technical recommendation for farmers. This research was carried out with the objective of evaluating the initial compatibility of grafting through the interaction between two techniques (top cleft and side cleft) and six rootstocks. The P. nigrum ‘Bragantina’ was grafted onto four wild Piper species (Piper aduncum Link, Piper tuberculatum Jacq., Piper marginatum Jacq., and Piper hispidum Kunth) and two black pepper cultivars (‘Kottanadan Broto Branco’ and ‘Bragantina’-homograft). P. tuberculatum and P. marginatum were incompatible with P. nigrum ‘Bragantina’ in the two grafting techniques. There was total suppression of leaf development with incompatible rootstocks inside cleft grafting. The wild rootstocks had twice as many shoots at the base of the seedling than the cultivars in the top cleft grafting. Side cleft grafting was able to suppress by half the shoots at the base of the rootstock, while the aerial part was maintained. Top cleft grafting provided greater survival, shooting, and leaf emission, which was more evident when using P. aduncum species as rootstock, reaching practically twice the shooting (59.3%) in comparison with the side grafting (30.6%). Therefore, the top method and the use of P. aduncum as rootstock for the production of grafted black pepper seedlings is recommended.

ABSTRACT One of the various seaweed species with biostimulating properties is Lithothamnion sp., a calcareous seaweed recognized for its nutritional attributes. This review article aimed to gather information on Lithothamnion sp. and its applications in agricultural cultivation, focusing on identifying and analyzing its biostimulant effects. The practical use of this biostimulant in farming has been confirmed by studies highlighting its efficiency, which varies according to the source material (deposit and particle fraction), application methodology (dosage, methods and frequency) and specific crop (genotype and development stages). Lithothamnion sp. is notable for promoting vegetative growth and has established itself as an invaluable biostimulant in producing seedlings of various species. Its application, either via soil or by foliar methods, has led to improvements in the yield and quality of vegetables, fruits, oilseed crops, grains and forage plants. Although the underlying mechanisms need further investigation, the results suggest that Lithothamnion sp. contributes to amplifying photosynthesis, water-use efficiency and phytoalexin production.

RESUMO Diversas algas possuem efeitos bioestimulantes, como o Lithothamnion sp., uma alga marinha calcária conhecida por seu valor nutricional. Objetivou-se, neste artigo de revisão, compilar informações sobre o Lithothamnion sp. e suas aplicações em cultivos agrícolas, visando identificar e analisar seus efeitos bioestimulantes. A aplicação prática desse bioestimulante na agricultura tem sido verificada por meio de estudos que demonstram sua eficácia dependendo da matéria prima utilizada (jazida e fração da partícula), tecnologia de aplicação (dosagem, formas e intervalos) e cultura (genótipo e estádios de desenvolvimento). O Lithothamnion sp. se destaca por induzir o desenvolvimento vegetativo e ser uma ferramenta valiosa na produção de mudas de diversas espécies. Sua aplicação, seja via solo ou foliar, tem revelado melhorias na produção e qualidade de hortaliças, frutas, culturas oleaginosas, grãos e forrageiras. Ainda que os mecanismos subjacentes exijam investigações mais aprofundadas, os resultados sugerem que o Lithothamnion sp. contribui para o aumento na fotossíntese, eficiência do uso da água e produção de fitoalexinas.