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The effect of seaweed biostimulant and magnesium aminochelate on yield, photosynthetic and nutrient uptake characteristics of cucumber under magnesium deficiency conditions
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Ali Karami   , Edris Shabani , Naser Alemzadeh Ansari |
| Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz |
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Abstract: (36 Views) |
The excessive use of high-potassium fertilizers to improve fruit weight and color in Iranian greenhouse units has made magnesium deficiency a major challenge. This issue is further intensified by poor irrigation water quality, characterized by high levels of bicarbonate and salinity, and by high competition for nutrient absorption between vegetative and reproductive parts during the mid-season. High light intensity in greenhouses in southern Iran increases the plant's need for magnesium and exacerbates its deficiency due to an increase in the rate of photosynthesis and carbohydrate production. In this regard, an experiment was conducted in the autumn and winter of 2022-2023 in the educational-research greenhouse of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz in the form of a split-plot design in a randomized complete block design with three replications in order to improve the photosynthetic, yield and elemental indices of cucumber using seaweed biostimulants and magnesium aminochelate under magnesium stress conditions. The experimental treatments included foliar spraying of different concentrations of brown seaweed (Sargassum angustifolium) (0, 1.5 and 3 g L-1) (as a main plot) and magnesium aminochelate (0, 2.5 and 5 mL L-1) (as a subplot). Foliar spraying of seaweed and magnesium aminochelate began two weeks after transplanting and continued once a week until one week before the end of harvest. The results of this experiment showed that the use of 3 g L-1 seaweed and 5 mL L-1 magnesium aminochelate treatment (G3×Mg5), compared to the control treatment (G0×Mg0), increased chlorophyll a by 186.27% and total chlorophyll by 151.19%, respectively. Furthermore, the highest photosynthetic rate (10.05 μmol m⁻².s⁻¹) was observed in the G3×Mg5 treatment, whereas the lowest rate (3.53 μmol m⁻².s⁻¹) was recorded in the control treatment. The highest and lowest yield was observed with 3038 and 1503 g plant-1, respectively, in the G3×Mg5 and G0×Mg0 treatments, which resulted in a 102% increase in yield. In all seaweed levels, the magnesium concentration of cucumber increased significantly with increasing levels of magnesium aminochelate foliar application, such that foliar application of the G3×Mg5 treatment increased the magnesium concentration of greenhouse cucumber leaf tissues by 115% compared to the control treatment. According to the results of the present experiment, the use of 3 g L-1 of Sargassum angustifolium seaweed extract and 5 mL L-1 of magnesium aminochelate is recommended to improve the physiological, photosynthetic, and yield indices of greenhouse cucumber under magnesium deficiency conditions. |
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| Keywords: Chlorophyll, Cucumber, Magnesium, Seaweed, Soilless culture, Yield |
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Greenhouse crops
Received: 2025/11/15 | Accepted: 2026/02/7 | Published: 2026/05/16
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