Efficacy of soil treated with seaweed extract on the growth and yield of indian mustard [Rrassica juncea (L.) Czernjaew]

Fertilizer application technique should be a fundamental part of Fertilizer Best Management Practices (BFMPs) to achieve optimum nutrient additions in soil to maximize growth and yield, while minimizing environmental impact. Though chemical fertilizers play a significant role in boosting crop productivity, the application of natural plant extract to increase the crop production, maximize the soil nutrient efficiency, and soil fertility need to be explored towards achieving BFMPs. Therefore, a study was carried out at Agro-Techno Park, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Jeli Campus, Malaysia to determine the efficacy of soil treated with different rates of seaweed extract on the growth and yield of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czernjaew]. The plants were treated with a series of application rates of seaweed extract at 0.0 ml/g (control; TO), 0.5 ml/g (T1), 1.0 ml/g (T2), and 2.0 ml/g (T3) under shelter house. Seaweed extract at T2 and T3 significantly increased in the plant height, fresh weight, dry weight, and leaf diameter of Indian mustard. However, at these two concentrations, it was found that there is no significant increase in chlorophyll content, where the effect was likely similar to control plants. This study showed that T3 was the optimum application rate in increase the growth and yield of Indian mustard, thus suggesting that the application of seaweed extract at the correct rate in vegetable cultivation could be a promising approach in relation to precision application of fertilizer and other agriculture inputs.