FOLIAR BIOFERTILIZATION WITH SEA WEEDS (Algae (L.)) ON A VINEYARD IN RELATION TO IRON CONTENT, PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND YIELD

Abstract

One of the problems that restrict the development of the vineyards is the chlorosis of the plants due to the deficiency of Fe, which is very frequent in limy soils. Foliar application of biofertilizers with Fe can increase the content of this element in the leaves of vine plants (Vitis vinifera L.) and reduce chlorosis. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a foliar, organic fertilizer, elaborated with seaweed extracts (Algae (L.)), added with Fe (6%) and Mn (3%), on the Fe and chlorophyll content of the leaves, rate of foliar photosynthesis and fruit yield of Sauvignon Blanc cultivar variety (cv.) vine plants. The experimental design was completely randomized with four treatments (without application of the biofertilizer, with one, two, three applications) and four replicates. Foliar applications started at the end of the vegetative stage in intervals of 15 d. The comparison of treatment means was made with the Tukey test (p≤0.05). Results showed that each application of the biofertilizer increased proportionally the iron content in leaves. Two applications increased relative chlorophyll content, and three applications were needed to increase the rate of foliar photosynthesis. The effect of the biofertilizer applications on the Fe content, relative chlorophyll content and the rate of foliar photosynthesis increased the fruit yield of cv. Sauvignon Blanc.