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Research on Crops

Evaluation of seaweed extract for mitigating low moisture stress in paddy (Oryza sativa L.)

DOI: 10.31830/2348-7542.2026.ROC-1294    | Article Id: ROC-1294 | Page : 197-203
Citation :- Evaluation of seaweed extract for mitigating low moisture stress in paddy (Oryza sativa L.). Res. Crop. 27: 197-203
MARY AMRIDHA SHIVANI A, SARAVANA KUMAR M, RAMADASS S, CHANDRASEKARAN P, RAJESHKUMAR A AND SHALINI C saravanm14@srmist.edu.in
Address : SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology Baburayanpettai, Chengalpattu – 603201, Tamil Nadu, India
Submitted Date : 14-02-2026
Accepted Date : 21-04-2026
Online Published:

Abstract

The present study evaluated the potential of selected seaweeds for mitigating low moisture stress in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Five seaweed species namely Ulva lactuca, Gracilaria edulis, Kappaphycus alvarezii, Sargassum wightii and Padina pavonica, were analysed for their proximate, biochemical and mineral composition under laboratory conditions. A composite seaweed extract (SWE) prepared from K. alvarezii, S. wightii and U. lactuca (40:40:20) was evaluated under field conditions during the Navarai season (2025–2026) in paddy (CO 55). The field experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with 11 treatments comprising T₁: 5% SWE spray + stress at PI stage; T₂: 10% SWE spray + stress at PI stage; T₃: 15% SWE spray + stress at PI stage; T₄: 20% SWE spray + stress at PI stage; T₅: No spray + stress at PI stage; T₆: 5% SWE spray + stress at flowering stage; T₇: 10% SWE spray + stress at flowering stage; T₈: 15% SWE spray + stress at flowering stage; T₉: 20% SWE spray + stress at flowering stage; T₁₀: No spray + stress at flowering stage; T₁₁: Control (No moisture stress). Foliar application of SWE at different concentrations was carried out under low moisture stress conditions at critical growth stages, namely panicle initiation and flowering. Biochemical analysis revealed that Kappaphycus alvarezii recorded the highest protein (8.2%), chlorophyll (9.14 mg/L), proline (16.47 mg/g), potassium (4.85 g/100g) and calcium (3.78 g/100g) contents. The field experiment results demonstrated that 20% SWE application significantly improved growth parameters, including plant height (93.90 cm), tiller number (407/m²), leaf area index (5.05) and dry matter production (1194 g/m²) under moisture stress critical stages. The study concludes that 20% seaweed extract effectively mitigate low moisture stress in rice by improving growth and stress tolerance mechanisms in paddy.

Keywords

Growth attributes moisture stress paddy proximate analysis seaweed extract 

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