Abstract

LOPEZ-CORONA, B.E. et al. Ecophysiology and biochemistry of Salicornia bigelovii (Torr.) by effect of chitosan-aib effect under Sonora desert conditions. Polibotánica [online]. 2020, n.49, pp.75-92.  Epub June 20, 2020. ISSN 1405-2768.  https://doi.org/10.18387/polibotanica.49.5.

Salicornia bigelovii is a halophyte of great interest for agribusiness because it is a rich source of protein (> 14%). Under field conditions, its cultivation has not been fully functional given the low germination percentage. Likewise, in order to obtain high plant matter productions, the incorporation of nitrogen sources is necessary, resorting to large amounts of chemical fertilization and exacerbating the salinity problem. Currently, sustainable production systems in halophytes demand organic agro-inputs; An alternative to chemical fertilization is waste from exoskeletons and shrimp shells, from which valuable by-products such as chitosan can be obtained. Chitosan has multiple applications including the use as a promoter in agricultural crops, improving the germination process, crop yields, micronutrient adsorption and stimulating the defense mechanism of plants and the formation of physical barriers. In the present study, chitosan was evaluated at 50 and 100% purity, obtained from shrimp exoskeletons vs the indole butyric acid (AIB) growth promoter at 0.937 and 1.25 g kg-1, in addition to mixtures of both products and concentrations, under field conditions of the Sonoran Desert. The variables of root length, plant height, dry weight and fresh weight of plant and root system, nitrates in sap, flowering percentage and bromatological analyzes of the whole plant were evaluated. The results obtained show that the application of the chitosan bioproduct (QUI) of marine origin together with AIB (100% QUI -AIB 0.937 g kg-1), presented a stimulating effect (P < 0.05) in the variables of root development and growth of plant, in addition to biochemical characteristics, including total protein, ash and total lipids in stem, root and aerial fraction. The application of chitosan enhances its biostimulant effect in synergy with AIB. This is the first report of chitosan as a stimulant bioproduct in association with AIB in Salicornia bigelovii.

Keywords : Halophytes; growth promoters; cuttings; bioproduct.

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