ABSTRACT Along the line that health-beneficial foods must also be accompanied by sustainable agricultural practices, the red alga Lithothamnium sp. (Rhodophyta), frequently used for animal and human nutrition, it was shown that it could be a biofertilizer, regarding their bioactive humic acid content, released by micronization. Also, onions present well-known benefits to health and are among the main vegetable crops grown worldwide. Thus, the objective this work was to evaluate the effects of foliar sprays with micronized Lithothamniun sp. on yield, mineral nutrients, flavonoids, phenolic content, and antioxidant activity before and after storage of bulbs of two organically grown onion cultivars. The yield, mineral content, antioxidant activity, and phenolic and flavonoid content in onion bulbs were improved through sprays, highlighting the dose of 1.5 g L-1 of Lithothamnium sp. in solution. Genotype interactions and storage effects were observed. The benefits with the use of Lithothamnium sp. as biofertilizer were towards the biofortification of organically grown onions by improving mineral nutrient acquisition as it was followed by upgrading antioxidant capacity.

RESUMO O desenvolvimento de soluções sustentáveis visando aumentar a produtividade agrícola é crucial para atender à crescente demanda por alimentos. As microalgas são organismos cuja composição é rica em moléculas bioativas e podem ser produzidas em escala, com baixo custo. Dessa forma, a hipótese desse trabalho é de que a microalga Asterarcys quadricellulare (CCAP 291/1), uma fonte de L-aminoácidos livres, pode aumentar o crescimento e o rendimento de plantas de tomate. Para investigar seu potencial como biofertilizante, foi realizado um trabalho de dois anos, aplicando biomassa A. quadricellulare através de pulverização foliar em plantas de tomate. No primeiro experimento, foram realizadas aplicações semanais durante o ciclo completo da cultura. O efeito das soluções contendo 0.05; 0.15; 0.25; e 0.40 g L-1 de biomassa de A. quadricellulare sobre o rendimento do tomate foi medido através de análise de regressão. No segundo experimento, a concentração com melhor performance (0.25 g L-1), foi testada em duas cultivares de tomate com pulverizações de frequência semanal e quinzenal. Como resultado, para ambas as cultivares, as aplicações aumentaram a área foliar, o rendimento e o conteúdo de açúcares, aminoácidos e proteínas livres. Assim, mostrando efeito biofertilizante em tomate.

ABSTRACT The development of sustainable ways to increase crop productivity is essential to meet the growing demand for food. Microalgae are rich in bioactive molecules and can be produced on a large scale and at a low cost. Therefore, we hypothesized that the microalga Asterarcys quadricellulare (CCAP 294/1), a rich source of free L-amino acids, can increase the growth and yield of tomatoes. To determine the potential of A. quadricellulare, we performed a two-year study by applying A. quadricellulare biomass using a foliar spray on tomato plants. In the first season, weekly applications were performed during the full cycle of tomatoes. The effect of A. quadricellulare biomass of 0.05, 0.15, 0.25, and 0.40 g L-1 on tomato yield was determined through regression analysis. In the second season, the solution of 0.25 g L-1, which showed the best results, was tested on two tomato cultivars using a weekly and a biweekly frequency of application. Both cultivars were positively affected by the application of biomass, which promoted the increase in leaf area and yield, along with higher contents of sugar, free amino acid, and protein. Thus, we determined the role of A. quadricellulare as an effective biofertilizer in tomatoes.

ABSTRACT In this study, Bacillus subtilis were applied on seeds, seedlings, and tomato crops for two years in an organic system. The product Serenade® was used on 'Cardyna' and 'Trinidade' cultivars with the objective of determining the effect of the bacteria on initial plant growth when applied to seeds (50 uL per seed) or the seedlings watered with 100 mL solution at 8 mL L-1 concentration, and tomato yield when applied at the concentration of 4 mL L-1 in the form of a soil drench, foliar sprays and their combination, considering their action in the promotion of growth and also in the induction of resistance allied to possible metabolic deviations. Seed application reduced initial plant growth, while seedling watering at transplanting promoted growth. Chlorophylls a, b and total chlorophyll, carotenoids, and the enzymes phenylalanine ammonia lyase, chitinase, and β1,3 glucanases were stimulated in a variable way among cultivars and applications, indicating the activation of plant defenses. Phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and total sugars were not altered, while the concentrations of reducing sugars were higher due to applications than those of non-reducing sugars. The metabolic changes did not influence the tomato yield.

RESUMEN En este estudio se realizaron aplicaciones de Bacillus subtilis en semillas, mudas y en el cultivo del tomate durante dos ciclos en sistema orgánico. Se utilizó el producto Serenade® en los cultivares Cardyna y Trinidad. El objetivo fue determinar el efecto de la bacteria en el crecimiento inicial de las plantas cuando se aplica a las semillas (50 [il por semilla) o a las mudas (100 mL de solución en la concentración de 8 mL L -1 ), y en la producción de los frutos cuando se aplica en la concentración de 4 mL L -1 en forma de riego, pulverizaciones foliares y su combinación, teniendo en cuenta su acción en la promoción del crecimiento y también en la inducción de resistencia aliada a posibles desvíos metabólicos. La aplicación en las semillas redujo el crecimiento inicial de las plantas, mientras que el riego de las mudas en el momento del trasplante estimuló el crecimiento. Las clorofilas a, b y totales, los carotenoides y las enzimas fenilalanina amonio-liase, quitinasa y pi,3glucanasas fueron estimuladas de forma variable entre cultivares y aplicaciones, indicando la activación de las defensas de las plantas. Los compuestos fenólicos, flavonoides y azúcares totales no se alteraron, mientras que las concentraciones de azúcares reductores fueron mayores debido a las aplicaciones que las de no reductores. Las alteraciones metabólicas no influyeron en la producción de los tomates.

Buscando o desenvolvimento com base em fontes naturais capazes de promover o crescimento de plantas de acordo com os pressupostos da produção orgânica, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito do caldo fermentado de Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SFB) como biofertilizante no crescimento de mudas tomate em sistema orgânico e quantificar o conteúdo de clorofila nas folhas, tendo em conta que o SFB apresenta aminoácidos com configuração levógira. Por esse motivo, as aplicações foliares de soluções aquosas foram realizadas com cinco concentrações (0,25, 0,50, 0,75, 1,0 e 1,25 ml.l-1) de SFB (complex-Aid ® - Alltech®) e uma testemunha com aplicação de água destilada. O SFB mostrou notável eficácia na promoção do crescimento das mudas de tomate, aumentando o teor de clorofila das folhas, no aumento do crescimento de folha e caule, no volume das raízes estratificado por diâmetro, melhorando a taxa de raízes mais finas em 0,75 ml. L-1 de concentração. Estes são os primeiros resultados de nova investigação sobre a utilização de SFB sobre o metabolismo da planta em conjunto com L-aminoácidos e outros compostos bioativos possíveis divulgados pela Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Looking for the development of products based on natural sources capable of promoting plant growth according to organic production assumptions, the aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermented broth (SFB) as a biofertilizer on organic tomato seedlings growth and chlorophyll content of leaves, taking into account the content of levorotatory configuration amino acids in SFB. For that reason, were performed foliar applications of aqueous solutions with five concentrations (0,25; 0,50; 0,75; 1,0 and 1,25 mL.L-1) of SFB (complex-aid® - Alltech®) and a control with application of distilled water. The SFB showed remarkable efficiency in promoting tomato seedlings growth, increasing leaves chlorophyll content, increasing leaves and stems growth, roots volume and altering its diameter partitioning, improving the rate of thinner roots at 0,75 mL L-1 concentration. These are initial results for further investigations about how SFB acts on plant metabolism, related to L-amino acids or other possible bioactive compounds released by Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

ABSTRACT The biofertilizer derived from the fermentation of sugarcane molasses by the bacterium Corynebacterium glutamicum is a broth containing L-glutamic amino acid. To evalúate the biofertilization effect of this broth on the organic production of Chinese cabbage seedlings (Brassica campestris var. Pekinensis), an experiment was performed in a seedling nursery in the organic area at the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR). Aqueous solutions of the fermented broth were applied to leaves at concentrations of 0.2 mL L-1 and 0.8 mL L-1 in addition to the control with water application. The results indicated that foliar application promoted the development of the aerial part and roots and increased the concentration of total free amino acids in Chinese cabbage seedlings. These results demonstrated the biofertilizing action of the bacterial fermented broth, promoting seedling growth and stimulating amino acid synthesis, by increasing the concentration of total free amino acids.

RESUMEN El biofertilizante de la caña de azúcar derivado de la fermentación por la bacteria Corynebacterium glutamicum es un caldo que contiene aminoácido L-glutámico. Para evaluar el efecto biofertilización de este caldo en la producción orgánica de las plántulas de col china (Brassica campestris var. Pekinensis), se realizó un experimento en un vivero de plántulas en la zona orgánica de la Universidad Federal de Paraná (UFPR). Las soluciones acuosas del caldo fermentado se aplicaron a hojas en concentraciones de 0,2 mL L-1 y 0,8 mL L-1 además del control con aplicación de agua. Los resultados indicaron que la aplicación foliar promovió el desarrollo de la parte aérea y las raíces y aumentó la concentra ción de aminoácidos libres totales en las plántulas de col china. Estos resultados demuestran la acción biofertilizante del caldo bacteriano fermentado, promoviendo el crecimiento de las plántulas y estimulando la síntesis de aminoácidos, aumentando la concentración de aminoácidos libres totales.

Ápices caulinares de Aloe vera L. Burm. foram inoculados em meios de cultura. O experimento foi dividido em duas fases. Na fase I diferentes concentrações e combinações de NAA e BAP foram adicionadas ao meio MS . Na fase II, p lantas provenientes de MS foram inoculadas em meio contendo ou não espermidina e/ou espermina. Na fase I, os melhores resultados para produção de massa e perfilhamento ocorreram em MS + 8,88 m mol.L -1 BAP + 5,36 m mol.L -1 NAA e não foi observado enraizamento. Plantas submetidas aos tratamentos com poliaminas (10 mM) apresentaram emissão de raízes na fase II, sugerindo possível efeito indutor, quando usadas isoladamente durante a rizogênese. Não foram notados indícios de oxidação no meio de cultura contendo poliaminas. O uso de espermidina no meio de cultura promoveu maior incremento de massa e o maior número de perfilhos foi obtido com o uso da combinação das poliaminas.

The lateral shoots of the Aloe vera L. Burm have been inoculated in culture medium. The work has been divided in two phases. In the phase I different concentrations of NAA and BAP were added to the MS . In the phase II, plants proceeding of the MS were inoculated in medium containing or not spermidine and/or spermine. In the phase I the best results for mass production and shooting came out with the use of MS + 8,88 m mol L -1 BAP + 5,36 m mol L -1 NAA and these treatments didn´t induce the rooting. Plants submitted to treatments with polyamines presented emission of roots during the phase II, suggesting possible inductor effect when used by isolated means during the rooting. No traces of oxidation were noted in the culture medium containing the polyamines. The use of spermidine in the culture-medium promoted a greater mass increasing and the most number of shoots was obtained with the use of the combination of polyamines.

Ápices caulinares de plantas de Aloe vera L. Burm. fueron inoculados en medios de cultivo. El experimento fue dividido en dos fases. En la fase l diferentes concentraciones y combinaciones de NAA y BAP fueron adicionadas al medio MS. En la fase II, plantas provenientes del tratamiento MS fueron inoculadas en medio que contenía, o no, espermidina y/ o espermina. En la fase I, los mejores resultados para producción de masa y brotaciones ocurrieron con el uso de MS + 8,88 m mol L -1 BAP + 5,36 m mol L -1 NAA y no indujeron al enraizamiento. Las plantas sometidas a los tratamientos con espermidina o espermina (10 mM) presentaron emisión de raíces durante la fase II, sugiriendo un posible efecto inductor, cuando fueron usadas aisladamente durante la rizogénesis. No fueron notados indicios de oxidación en el medio de cultivo que contenía poliaminas. El uso de espermidina en el medio de cultivo promovió mayor incremento de masa y un mayor número de brotaciones fue obtenido con el uso de la combinación de las poliaminas.