EFFECT OF THE BROWN ALGA ASCOPHYLLUM NODOSUM AS BIOFERTILIZER ON VEGETATIVE GROWTH IN GRAPEVINE (VITIS VINIFERA L.)

Environmental growing farm technology involves utilization of agricultural inputs which are friendly with the production and ecosystem. Seaweed extracts are used as biofertilizers in horticulture in special to increase plant growth and productivity. In this study, we investigated the effect of seaweed extracts made from Ascophyllum nodosum, on vegetative growth of Vitis vinifera cv. Feteasca Alba. We used three different concentrations of seaweed extracts to asset the effect on fertility coefficients, shoot length, shoot diameter and leaf area. All treatments with seaweed extract showed a stimulatory effect for studied parameters. The plants treated with the higher levels of seaweed concentrate produced the highest absolute fertility coefficient and relative fertility coefficient relative to the plants treated with lower concentration of or untreated control plants. Foliar spray application at different concentration of seaweed extract of Ascophyllum nodosum influenced the vegetative growth expressed by leaf area of vine stock. The results indicate that the 170 ml-1hl concentration of seaweed extract showed the higher enhanced of growth parameters in grapevine.