Amino acid-based biostimulant improves the productivity of Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) under saline stress

Abstract

The radish culture is highly sensitive to salinity. The use of an amino acid-based biostimulant can, therefore, be an attenuator of the deleterious effect of salinity on the radish crop. The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of a biostimulant based on amino acids and freshwater algae extract on radish (Raphanus sativus L.) cultivated under irrigation conditions with saline water. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse. The saline levels evaluated were 0.15, 1.8, and 2.8 dS.m^-1 and four doses of biostimulant were applied (0, 2, 4, and 6 mL/L). The statistical design was completely randomized, in a 4x3 factorial scheme with 4 replications. Biometric and biomass analyses, sodium and potassium contents, and soluble solids were performed. Was observed that plants submitted to high salinity levels (2.8 dS m^-1) with application of 6mL/L of the biostimulant showed high values in height (12.2 cm), stem (5mm) and tuber (6mm) diameter, leaf area (50cm²), fresh and dry mass of aerial part (3.5 g) and underground system (5.8 g). The application of the biostimulant 6 mL/L, at the salinity level of 2.8 dS.m^-1, favored the increase of saline ions in the tuber of the plants. The application the biostimulant provided a higher content of soluble solids. Applications of the biostimulant in plants with saline stress showed beneficial responses in the performance of the radish, therefore the dose of 6 mL/L is recommended for a satisfactory response of the performance of the radish in saline conditions.