Pre-treatment extraction of silica and other nutrients from seagrass (Cymodecea serrulata)

Paper Details

Research Paper 01/08/2020
Views (370) Download (45)
current_issue_feature_image
publication_file

Pre-treatment extraction of silica and other nutrients from seagrass (Cymodecea serrulata)

Andrea F. Dawan, Yvette D. Medrano
Int. J. Biosci.17( 2), 225-229, August 2020.
Certificate: IJB 2020 [Generate Certificate]

Abstract

Silicon has been found to improve plant resistance to stresses such as pests, diseases, lodging and drought. Thus, methods of utilizing plant materials as a source of silicon in the form of silica (SiO2) is now being studied worldwide. This study was conducted to determine seagrass potential as a source of silica and other nutrients for plant uptake and identify the most effective silica extraction technique. The four treatments arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications include yeast fermentation (control), enzyme, acid, and enzyme and acid pre-treatments combined. After the fermentation process all extracts from the different treatments were subjected to nutrient analysis which includes the determination of total macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium), total micronutrients (copper, zinc, manganese and iron) and availability of silica. Significant differences between the treatments were observed in total K and silica content. Highest total K (1.77%) was noted in control treatment, however, it was comparable with the combined enzyme and acid pre-treatment (1.71%). Silica content in acid pre-treatment (103.7mg L-1) was significantly highest among the treatments, followed by enzyme pre-treatment (82.3mg L-1). In terms of silica extraction, acid pre-treatment is shown to be the most efficient; however, further study on the efficiency of the extracts in the form of liquid fertilizer on field crops should be conducted.

VIEWS 32

Acchus GL. 2010. An Evaluation of the influence of biodynamic practices including foliar-applied silica spray on nutrient quality of organic and conventionally fertilized lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Journal of Organic Systems 5(1), 2010. pp. 4-13.

Fernandez V, Sotiropoulos T, Brown P. 2013. Foliar Fertilization: Scientific Principles and Field Practices. 1st ed. International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA), Paris, France.

Fortes MD. 1989. Seagrasses: A resource unknown in the ASEAN Region. ICLARM Ed. Ser. 5, 46 p. International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management, Manila, Philippines.

Frantz JM, Khandahar S, Leisner S. 2011. Silicon differentially influences copper toxicity response in silicon-accumulator and non-accumulator species. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science 136, 329-338.

Frantz JM, Locke JC, Datnoff L, Omer M, Widrig A, Sturts D, Horst L, Krause CR. 2008. Detection, distribution and quantification of silicon in floricultural crops utilizing three distinct analytical methods. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis. 39:17, 2734-2751.

Hocking PJ. 1994. Dry-matter production, mineral nutrient concentrations, and nutrient distribution and redistribution in irrigated spring wheat. Journal of Plant Nutrition 17, 1289-1308.

Jana S, Jeong BR. 2014. Silicon: The most under-appreciated element in horticultural crops. Academic Journals. Trends in Horticultural Research 4(1), 1-19, 2014.

Sander K, Murthy GS. 2009. Enzymatic degradation of microalgal cell walls. American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Paper No. 1035636.

Yoshida S, Navasero SA, Ramirez EA. 1969. Effects of silica and nitrogen supply on some leaf characters of the rice plant. Plant and Soil Journal 31(1), August 1969, pp.48-56.

Zhang B, Wang L, Shahbazi A, Diallo O, Whitmore A. 2006. Dilute-sulfuric acid pretreatment of cattails for cellulose conversion. Bioresource Technology 102, (2011) 9308-9312.