Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Seaweed-Derived Biostimulant (Kelpak®) Influences Endogenous Cytokinins and Bioactive Compounds in Hydroponically Grown Eucomis autumnalis

  • Published:
Journal of Plant Growth Regulation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The effect of a seaweed-derived biostimulant (Kelpak® at 1, 2.5 and 5 % dilution; v/v) on the growth, endogenous cytokinin (CK) and phytochemical content in Eucomis autumnalis (Mill.) Chitt. under hydroponic conditions was evaluated. After 4 months, the stimulatory effect of Kelpak® treatments was more noticeable in the underground organs than in the aerial organs. Total endogenous CK was also higher in plants treated with Kelpak® (c.a. 1000–1200 pmol g−1 DW) compared to control plants (860 pmol g−1 DW). Isoprenoid CKs (which mainly accumulated in the aerial organs) were more dominant than aromatic-type CKs across all the treatments. A total of 11 bioactive chemicals (8 phenolic acids and 3 flavonoids) and eucomic acid known for their diverse biological activities were quantified in the samples. The most abundant compound was p-coumaric acid (6.5 µg g−1 DW) and it was approximately sevenfold higher in 2.5 % Kelpak®-treated plants than in the control. It was also noteworthy that syringic acid only occurred in the underground organs of 5 % Kelpak®-treated plants. Eucomic acid which is a major bioactive compound in E. autumnalis was significantly enhanced in Kelpak® treatments, and the leaves accounted for more than 70 % of the overall content. Thus, Kelpak® elicited a significant influence on the growth, endogenous CK and phytochemical content in E. autumnalis. These findings provide additional evidence of the enormous potential of Kelpak® as a useful biostimulant with practical applications in various agricultural endeavours.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alain-Michel B (2007) Evolution and current status of research in phenolic compounds. Phytochemistry 68:2722–2735

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aremu AO, Masondo NA, Van Staden J (2014) Physiological and phytochemical responses of three nutrient-stressed bulbous plants subjected to vermicompost leachate treatment. Acta Physiol Plant 36:721–731

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aremu AO, Masondo NA, Rengasamy KRR, Amoo SO, Gruz J, Bíba O, Šubrtová M, Pěnčík A, Novák O, Doležal K, Van Staden J (2015) Physiological role of phenolic biostimulants isolated from brown seaweed Ecklonia maxima on plant growth and development. Planta 241:1313–1324

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Arthur GD, Aremu AO, Moyo M, Stirk WA, Van Staden J (2013) Growth-promoting effects of a seaweed concentrate at various pH and water hardness conditions. S Afr J Sci 109:39–44

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bajguz A, Piotrowska A (2009) Conjugates of auxin and cytokinin. Phytochemistry 70:957–969

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Canter PH, Thomas H, Ernst E (2005) Bringing medicinal plants into cultivation: opportunities and challenges for biotechnology. Trends Biotechnol 23:180–185

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chen AY, Chen YC (2013) A review of the dietary flavonoid, kaempferol on human health and cancer chemoprevention. Food Chem 138:2099–2107

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Craigie JS (2011) Seaweed extract stimuli in plant science and agriculture. J Appl Phycol 23:371–393

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Croker SJ, Gaskin P, Hedden P, MacMillan J, MacNeil KAG (1994) Quantitative analysis of gibberellins by isotope dilution mass spectrometry: a comparison of the use of calibration curves, an isotope dilution fit program and arithmetical correction of isotope ratios. Phytochem Anal 5:74–80

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Crouch IJ, Van Staden J (1994) Commercial seaweed products as biostimulants in horticulture. J Home Consum Hortic 1:19–73

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Depuydt S, Hardtke CS (2011) Hormone signalling crosstalk in plant growth regulation. Curr Biol 21:R365–R373

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Frébort I, Kowalska M, Hluska T, Frébortová J, Galuszka P (2011) Evolution of cytokinin biosynthesis and degradation. J Exp Bot 62:2431–2452

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gruz J, Novák O, Strnad M (2008) Rapid analysis of phenolic acids in beverages by UPLC–MS/MS. Food Chem 111:789–794

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gülçin İ (2012) Antioxidant activity of food constituents: an overview. Arch Toxicol 86:345–391

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Heleno SA, Martins A, Queiroz MJRP, Ferreira ICFR (2015) Bioactivity of phenolic acids: metabolites versus parent compounds: a review. Food Chem 173:501–513

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Horgan R (1992) Present and future prospects for cytokinin research. In: Kamínek M, Mok DWS, Zažímalová E (eds) Physiology and biochemistry of cytokinins in plants. SPB Academic Publishing, Hague

    Google Scholar 

  • Jayaraj J, Wan A, Rahman M, Punja ZK (2008) Seaweed extract reduces foliar fungal diseases on carrot. Crop Protect 27:1360–1366

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kannan RRR, Aderogba MA, Ndhlala AR, Stirk WA, Van Staden J (2013) Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of phlorotannins isolated from the brown alga, Ecklonia maxima (Osbeck) Papenfuss. Food Res Int 54:1250–1254

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Koorbanally C, Crouch NR, Mulholland DA (2006) The phytochemistry and ethnobotany of the southern African genus Eucomis (Hyacinthaceae: Hyacinthoideae). In: Imperato F (ed) Phytochemistry: Advances in research. Research Signpost, Kerala

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumar N, Pruthi V (2014) Potential applications of ferulic acid from natural sources. Biotechnol Rep 4:86–93

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lubbe A, Verpoorte R (2011) Cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants for specialty industrial materials. Ind Crops Prod 34:785–801

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Murashige T, Skoog F (1962) A revised medium for rapid growth and bio assays with tobacco tissue cultures. Physiol Plant 15:473–497

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Novák O, Hauserová E, Amakorová P, Doležal K, Strnad M (2008) Cytokinin profiling in plant tissues using ultra-performance liquid chromatography—electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. Phytochemistry 69:2214–2224

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Okada M, Park S, Koshizawa T, Ueda M (2009) (R)-Eucomic acid, a leaf-opening factor of the model organism, Lotus japonicus. Tetrahedron 65:2136–2141

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pant AP, Radovich TJK, Hue NV, Talcott ST, Krenek KA (2009) Vermicompost extracts influence growth, mineral nutrients, phytonutrients and antioxidant activity in pak choi (Brassica rapa cv. Bonsai, Chinensis group) grown under vermicompost and chemical fertiliser. J Sci Food Agr 89:2383–2392

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Papenfus HB, Stirk WA, Finnie JF, Van Staden J (2012) Seasonal variation in the polyamines of Ecklonia maxima. Bot Mar 55:539–546

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Papenfus HB, Kulkarni MG, Stirk WA, Finnie JF, Van Staden J (2013) Effect of a commercial seaweed extract (Kelpak®) and polyamines on nutrient-deprived (N, P and K) okra seedlings. Sci Hortic 151:142–146

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rittenberg D, Foster GL (1940) A new procedure for quantitative analysis by isotope dilution, with application to the determination of amino acids and fatty acids. J Biol Chem 133:737–744

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Robertson-Andersson DV, Leitao D, Bolton JJ, Anderson RJ, Njobeni A, Ruck K (2006) Can kelp extract (KELPAK®) be useful in seaweed mariculture? J Appl Phycol 18:315–321

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sakakibara H (2006) Cytokinins: activity, biosynthesis, and translocation. Annu Rev Plant Biol 57:431–449

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Santner A, Calderon-Villalobos LIA, Estelle M (2009) Plant hormones are versatile chemical regulators of plant growth. Nat Chem Biol 5:301–307

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma HSS, Fleming C, Selby C, Rao JR, Martin T (2014) Plant biostimulants: a review on the processing of macroalgae and use of extracts for crop management to reduce abiotic and biotic stresses. J Appl Phycol 26:465–490

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stirk WA, Van Staden J (2010) Flow of cytokinins through the environment. Plant Growth Regul 62:101–116

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stirk WA, Arthur GD, Lourens AF, Novák O, Strnad M, Van Staden J (2004) Changes in cytokinin and auxin concentrations in seaweed concentrates when stored at an elevated temperature. J Appl Phycol 16:31–39

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stirk WA, Tarkowská D, Turečová V, Strnad M, Van Staden J (2014) Abscisic acid, gibberellins and brassinosteroids in Kelpak®, a commercial seaweed extract made from Ecklonia maxima. J Appl Phycol 26:561–567

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Strnad M (1997) The aromatic cytokinins. Physiol Plant 101:674–688

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tilman D, Cassman KG, Matson PA, Naylor R, Polasky S (2002) Agricultural sustainability and intensive production practices. Nature 418:671–677

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Troell M, Robertson-Andersson D, Anderson RJ, Bolton JJ, Maneveldt G, Halling C, Probyn T (2006) Abalone farming in South Africa: an overview with perspectives on kelp resources, abalone feed, potential for on-farm seaweed production and socio-economic importance. Aquaculture 257:266–281

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Y, Frei M (2011) Stressed food—The impact of abiotic environmental stresses on crop quality. Agric Ecosyst Environ 141:271–286

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang D, Shi Q, Wang X, Wei M, Hu J, Liu J, Yang F (2010) Influence of cow manure vermicompost on the growth, metabolite contents, and antioxidant activities of Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris ssp. chinensis). Biol Fertil Soils 46:689–696

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zalabák D, Pospíšilová H, Šmehilová M, Mrízová K, Frébort I, Galuszka P (2013) Genetic engineering of cytokinin metabolism: prospective way to improve agricultural traits of crop plants. Biotechnol Adv 31:97–117

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The Claude Leon Foundation, University of KwaZulu-Natal and National Research Foundation, South Africa are thanked for financial support. This work was also financed by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport of the Czech Republic (Grant LO1204 from the National Program of Sustainability, Operational Program Education for Competitiveness—European Social Fund (Project CZ.1.07/2.3.00/20.0165) and the Program “Návrat” for Research, Development, and Innovations, no. LK21306) as well as by the Internal Grant Agency of Palacký University (IGA_PrF_2015_024). We thank Mrs Alison Young (UKZN Botanical Garden, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa) and her Staff for their assistance in maintaining the greenhouse facilities.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Centre for Plant Growth and Development, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg Campus, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, South Africa

    Adeyemi O. Aremu, Wendy A. Stirk & Johannes Van Staden

  2. Laboratory of Growth Regulators, Department of Chemical Biology and Genetics, Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Faculty of Science, Palacký University & Institute of Experimental Botany AS CR, Šlechtitelů 27, 783 71, Olomouc, Czech Republic

    Lenka Plačková, Jiří Gruz, Ondřej Bíba, Ondřej Novák & Karel Doležal

Authors
  1. Adeyemi O. Aremu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Lenka Plačková
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jiří Gruz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ondřej Bíba
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Ondřej Novák
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Wendy A. Stirk
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Karel Doležal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Johannes Van Staden
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Johannes Van Staden.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Aremu, A.O., Plačková, L., Gruz, J. et al. Seaweed-Derived Biostimulant (Kelpak®) Influences Endogenous Cytokinins and Bioactive Compounds in Hydroponically Grown Eucomis autumnalis . J Plant Growth Regul 35, 151–162 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-015-9515-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-015-9515-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation