More vigorous plants, with greater growth and greater productivity in conditions of lack of rain and high temperatures were the main results
In the Araguari region, in the Triângulo Mineiro, a research trial carried out in a Safrinha corn area shows the efficiency of a physiological nutritional strategy based on algae and its organic compounds in situations of environmental stress. An experimental area, measuring 2000 m², experienced adverse conditions, such as excessive heat and lack of water for 40 days during the plants' vegetative phase. Despite this scenario, with the application of nutritional treatment, the plants managed to complete their physiological processes and showed good results in development.
The result demonstrated that the applied treatment kept the crop in activity and with better performance than the control (area that does not receive the treatment for experimental comparison purposes). Plants in the experimental area showed a growth of 181.20 cm, while plants that did not receive the nutritional strategy had an average height of 168.40 cm. The diameters of the corn plants were also different: treated corn (23.30 mm) and control (22.4 mm) and the productivity was also higher, where the production of the treated area was 6181.54 kg/ha and of the control produced 4996.15 kg/ha.
The area was under high temperatures for 40 days – above 30ºC, without rain or irrigation. “There was a marked effect in relieving stress, causing the corn plants, even under unsuitable development conditions, to remain active. In other words, the plant was able to carry out photosynthesis, even at reduced rates, compared to those that did not receive the treatment”, explains Marcio Domingues, doctor in plant physiology, Technical Manager at the company Tradecorp do Brasil.
The great advantage of the treatment was keeping the plants hydrated and increasing their photosynthetic rates in relation to the control crop area. Domingues further explains that “Ascophylum nodosum algae extract and its organic components, as well as amino acids and also calcium and boron have an effective action in protecting the plant against environmental stress”.
Photo: On the left side, corn cobs from the control area (which did not receive nutritional treatment), show development problems, while on the right side (cobs from the area where treatment was applied), they show better development
