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The environmental and health risks associated with the application of synthetic chemical inputs in agriculture increased the demand for technologies that allow higher performance and quality of vegetable crops by implementing synergistic materials with the principles of sustainability. In this work, the seed coating with the biomass of Dunaliella salina incorporated in a bioplastic film of Manihot esculenta (cassava) was evaluated as an initial growth and secondary compounds stimulator of Coriandrum sativum (coriander) plants. The obtained results demonstrated that the coating stimulated an increase in the germination percentage (28.75%) and also in concentration of bioactive compounds, such as the six-fold increment of caffeic acid (13.33 mg 100 g-1). The carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins present in the microalgae biomass seem to be responsible for these increments once they are known for providing energy to the seedling development and coordinating the secondary metabolites synthesis. As conclusion, we consider the coating with biomass of D. salina an alternative for crop improvement that contributes to the development of sustainable agricultural practices.

The presence of excessive salts in the soil and irrigation water can change the growth and affect the metabolic functions of plants. Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) is often cultivated in arid and semiarid areas where irrigation with low-quality water and uneven distribution of rainfall may contribute to the accumulation of salts in the substrate. In the present study, coriander plants were cultivated in half-strength Hoagland nutrient solution containing 0.2, 0.6 and 1.2 g NaCl L -1 to assess the effect of low concentrations of NaCl on biomass production and mineral nutrients accumulation (Ca, K, Mg, Na, P). The presence of 0.2, 0.6 and 1.2 g NaCl L -1 slightly stimulated biomass production. The concentration of Na increased in coriander tissues (up to 4 times relative to control). However, concentration of K and Ca in leaves of plants treated with 1.2 g NaCl L -1 was decreased with respect to control. Based on the findings, even though biomass of coriander, under applied NaCl concentrations, was slightly increased, the chemical composition of its vegetative organs was severely disrupted by present salt which is very important for the quality of coriander as a popular herb or spice plant., (© 2021. Akadémiai Kiadó Zrt.)