Effect of Microalgal Biostimulants (Chlorella vulgaris and Arthrospira platensis) on the Growth Performance of Pak Choy in a Hydroponic System
Main Article Content
Abstract
The growing interest in sustainable agricultural practices has led to an exploration of biostimulants. This study investigates the impact of microalgae as biostimulants in a hydroponic system, using Pak Choy as the model plant. Three hydroponic setups were employed: a control system containing tap water with hydroponic fertiliser, and two experimental systems supplemented with microalgae without fertiliser— Arthrospira platensis and Chlorella vulgaris, respectively. The control group produced the tallest plants and the highest fresh weight, exceeding the other treatments by 106.65 mm in height and 9.344 g in fresh weight. Between the two microalgal treatments, Chlorella vulgaris produced higher plant height, fresh weight and improved physicochemical indicators compared to Arthrospira platensis. While both microalgal treatments yielded lower biomass than the fertilised control, they were able to sustain plant growth in the absence of synthetic fertiliser.
Article Details
Issue
Section
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
References
Abreu A P, Martins R and Nunes J. (2023). Emerging applications of Chlorella sp. and Spirulina (Arthrospira) sp. Bioengineering 10(8): 955.
Aguilar-Torrejón J A, Balderas-Hernández P, Roa-Morales G, Barrera-Díaz C E, Rodríguez-Torres I and Torres-Blancas T. (2023). Relationship, importance, and development of analytical techniques: COD, BOD, and TOC in water—An overview through time. SN Applied Sciences 5(4): 118. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-023-05318-7
Al-Badwy A H, Khalil A M, Bashal A H and Kebeish R. (2023). Polysaccharides from Spirulina platensis (PSP): Promising biostimulants for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles and their potential application in the treatment of cancer tumors. Microbial Cell Factories 22(1): 247. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12934-023-02257-1
Arora M and Sahoo D. (2015). Green algae. The Algae World 26: 91–120. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-7321-8_4
Barone V, Puglisi I, Fragalà F, Lo Piero A R, Giuffrida F and Baglieri A. (2018). Novel bioprocess for the cultivation of microalgae in the hydroponic growing system of tomato plants. Journal of Applied Phycology 31(1): 465–470. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-018-1518-y
Bello A S, Saadaoui I and Ben-Hamadou R. (2021). ‘Beyond the source of bioenergy’: Microalgae in modern agriculture as a biostimulant, biofertilizer, and anti-abiotic stress. Agronomy 11(8): 1610. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11081610
Chabili A, Minaoui F, Hakkoum Z, Douma M, Meddich A and Loudiki M. (2024). A comprehensive review of microalgae and cyanobacteria-based biostimulants for agriculture uses. Plants 13(2): 159–159. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13020159
Chiaiese P, Corrado G, Colla G, Kyriacou M C and Rouphael Y. (2018). Renewable sources of plant biostimulation: Microalgae as a sustainable means to improve crop performance. Frontiers in Plant Science 9: 1782. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2018.01782
Chojnacka K, Chojnacki A and Górecka H. (2005). Biosorption of Cr³⁺, Cd²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions by blue–green algae Spirulina sp.: Kinetics, equilibrium and the mechanism of the process. Chemosphere 59(1): 75–84.
Chowdury K H, Nahar N and Deb U K. (2020). The growth factors involved in microalgae cultivation for biofuel production: A review. Computational Water, Energy, and Environmental Engineering 9(4): 185–215. https://doi.org/10.4236/cweee.2020.94012
Colarte A C, Balic I, Díaz O, Cortes I, Moreno A A, Amenabar M J, Miguel Castro Retamal M C and Fuentes N C. (2025) ‘Microalgae-based biostimulants: Effects on growth and stress resistance in agricultural crops. Plants 14(22): 3488. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14223488
Dubey N and Nain V. (2020). Hydroponic: The future of farming. International Journal of Environment, Agriculture and Biotechnology 4(4): 857–864. https://doi.org/10.22161/ijeab.54.2
Ergun O, Dasgan H Y and Isık O. (2020). Effects of microalgae Chlorella vulgaris on hydroponically grown lettuce. Acta Horticulturae 1273: 169–176. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2020.1273.23
Gaikwad D J, Sahu C, Savirigana Prasanth B Divya, Atta K, Jaswanth D S and Mahapatra A. (2024). Hydroponics vs soil: An in-depth assessment of morpho-physiological traits in spinach (Spinacia oleracea). Agricultural Science Digest [Online]. https://doi.org/10.18805/ag.d-5928
González-Pérez B K, Rivas-Castillo A M, Valdez-Calderón A and Gayosso-Morales M A. (2021). Microalgae as biostimulants: A new approach in agriculture. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology 38(1): 4. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-021-03192-2
Gornall J, Betts R, Burke E, Clark R, Camp J, Willett K and Wiltshire A. (2010). Implications of climate change for agricultural productivity in the early twenty-first century. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 365(1554): 2973–2989. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2010.0158
Huo S, Liu J, Min Addy M, Chen P, Necas D, Cheng P, Li K, Chai H, Liu Y and Ruan R. (2020). The influence of microalgae on vegetable production and nutrient removal in greenhouse hydroponics. Journal of Cleaner Production 243: 118563. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.118563
Islam M M M, Shafi S, Bandh S A and Shameem N. (2019). Impact of environmental changes and human activities on bacterial diversity of lakes. In: Freshwater Microbiology, 105–136. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-817495-1.00003-7
Jo S-W, Do J-M, Kang N S, Park J M, Lee J H, Kim H S, Hong J W, Kannan M, Elavarasan G, Balamurugan A, Dhanusiya B and Freedon D. (2022). Hydroponic farming: A state of art for the future agriculture. Materials Today: Proceedings 68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2022.08.416
Kannan M, Elavarasan G, Balamurugan A, Dhanusiya B and Freedon D. (2022). Hydroponic farming: A state of art for the future agriculture. Materials Today: Proceedings 68(6). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2022.08.416
Kumar R R and Cho J Y. (2014). Reuse of hydroponic waste solution. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 21(16): 9569–9577. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-3024-3
Laiza R, Stephen H and Gobilik J. (2022). Overview on leafy (Pak Choy) vegetable industry and vertical soilless culture application for Pak Choy production in Malaysia. Transactions on Science and Technology 9(4): 204–222. https://tost.unise.org/pdfs/vol9/no4/ToST-9x4x204-222xRA.pdf (accessed on 3 October 2025).
Maludin A, Mok S, Lum M, Lassim J and Gobilik J. (2022). Application of Chlorella vulgaris Beijerinck as a biostimulant. Transactions on Science and Technology 7(4): 178–188. https://tost.unise.org/pdfs/vol7/no3-2/7x3-2x178-188xOA.pdf (accessed on 3 October 2025).
McCandless J G. (2023). Hydroponic bok choy: A quick and easy grow guide. Ponics Life. https://ponicslife.com/hydroponic-bok-choy-a (accessed on 3 October 2025).
Nasim W, Adkins S, Saud S, Ihsan M Z, Alharby H, Wu C, Wang D and Huang J. (2017). Crop production under drought and heat stress: Plant responses and management options. Frontiers in Plant Science 8: 1147. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2017.01147
Ng F-L, Phang S-M, Thong C H, Periasamy V, Pindah J, Yunus K and Fisher A C. (2021). Integration of bioelectricity generation from algal biophotovoltaic (BPV) devices with remediation of palm oil mill effluent (POME) as substrate for algal growth. Environmental Technology & Innovation 21: 101280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2020.101280
Pane L, Solisio C, Lodi A et al. (2008). Effect of extracts from Spirulina platensis bioaccumulating cadmium and zinc on L929 cells. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 70(1): 121–126.
Park Y J, Park J-E, Truong T Q, Koo S Y, Choi J-H and Kim S M. (2022). Effect of Chlorella vulgaris on the growth and phytochemical contents of ‘Red Russian’ kale (Brassica napus var. Pabularia). Agronomy 12(9): 2138. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12092138
Phang S M and Chu W L. (1999). Catalogue of strains, University of Malaya Algae Culture Collection (UMACC). Institute of Postgraduate Studies and Research, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur.
Phang S M, Miah M S, Yeoh B G and Hashim M A. (2000). Spirulina cultivation in digested sago starch factory wastewater. Journal of Applied Phycology 12(3/5): 395–400. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008157731731
Prisa D and Spagnuolo D. (2023). Plant production with Microalgal Biostimulants. Horticulturae 9(7): 829. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9070829
Rajaseger G, Chan K L, Tan K Y, Ramasamy S, Khin M C, Amaladoss A and Haribhai P K. (2023). Hydroponics: Current trends in sustainable crop production. Bioinformation 19(9): 925–938. https://doi.org/10.6026/97320630019925
Renganathan, P. et al. (2024). Hydroponics with microalgae and cyanobacteria: Emerging trends and opportunities in modern agriculture. BioTech 13(3): 27. https://doi.org/10.3390/biotech13030027
Renuka N, Prasanna R, Sood A, Bansal R, Bidyarani N, Singh R, Shivay Y S, Nain L and Ahluwalia A S. (2017). Wastewater grown microalgal biomass as inoculants for improving micronutrient availability in wheat. Rhizosphere 3: 150–159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rhisph.2017.04.005
Ronga D, Biazzi E, Parati K, Carminati D, Carminati E and Tava A. (2019). Microalgal biostimulants and biofertilisers in crop productions. Agronomy 9(4): 192.
Sarkar J, Rifat N M, Sakib-Uz-Zaman M, Faruque A and Prottoy Z H. (2023). Advanced technology in apparel manufacturing. In Textile Science and Clothing Technology, 177–231. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-2142-3_7
Sarsekeyeva F K, Sadvakasova A K, Sandybayeva S K, Kossalbayev B D, Huang Z, Zayadan B K, Akmukhanova N R, Leong Y K, Chang J -S and Allakhverdiev S I. (2024). Microalgae- and cyanobacteria-derived phytostimulants for mitigation of salt stress and improved agriculture. Algal Research 82: 103686. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2024.103686
Shedeed Z A, Gheda S, Elsanadily S, Alharbi K and Osman M E H. (2022). Spirulina platensis biofertilization for enhancing growth, photosynthetic capacity and yield of Lupinus luteus. Agriculture 12(6): 781. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12060781
Siringi J O, Turoop L and Njonge F. (2022). Biostimulant effect of Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) on lettuce (Lactuca sativa) cultivated under aquaponic system. SCIREA Journal of Biology 7(1): 23–40. https://doi.org/10.54647/biology18204
Solisio C, Lodi A, Torre P et al. (2006). Copper removal by dry and rehydrated biomass of Spirulina platensis. Bioresource Technology 97(14): 1756–1760.
Stein-Taylor J R and America. (1973). Handbook of phycological methods. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Suchithra M R, Muniswami D M, Sri M S, Usha R, Rasheeq A A, Preethi B A and Dineshkumar R. (2022). Effectiveness of green microalgae as biostimulants and biofertilizer through foliar spray and soil drench method for tomato cultivation. South African Journal of Botany 146(8): 740–750. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2021.12.022
Sun H, Wang Y, He Y, Liu B, Mou H, Chen F and Yang S. (2023). Microalgae-derived pigments for the food industry. Marine Drugs 21(2): 82. https://doi.org/10.3390/md21020082
Thangavel K, Krishnan P R, Nagaiah S, Kuppusamy S, Chinnasamy S, Rajadorai J S, Olaganathan G N and Dananjeyan B. (2018). Growth and metabolic characteristics of oleaginous microalgal isolates from Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve of India. BMC Microbiology 18: 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-017-1144-x
Tan G, Wang Q, Zhang H, Cheng J, Wang Z, Qu F, Guo C and Jin Y. (2017). The in vitro photodynamic activity, photophysical and photochemical research of a novel chlorophyll-derived photosensitizer. Medicinal Chemistry Research 26(10): 2639–2652. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00044-017-1962-2
Tay Z H Y, Ng F -L, Thong C -H, Lee C -W, Kumar G G, Al-Sehemi A G and Phang S-M. (2024). Evaluation of selected tropical marine microalgal cultures for use in biophotovoltaic platforms. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 108: 71. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-023-12951-0
Thong C -H, Ng F -L, Periasamy V, Basirun W J, Kumar G G and Phang S -M. (2023). Sustained power output from an algal biophotovoltaic (BPV) platform using selected marine and freshwater microalgae. Journal of Applied Phycology 35(1): 131–143. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-022-02879-9
Varia J, Kamaleson C and Lerer L. (2022). Biostimulation with phycocyanin-rich Spirulina extract in hydroponic vertical farming. Scientia Horticulturae 299: 111042. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2022.111042
Veaudor T, Blanc-Garin V, Chenebault C, Diaz-Santos E, Sassi J-F, Cassier-Chauvat C and Chauvat F. (2020). Recent advances in the photoautotrophic metabolism of cyanobacteria: Biotechnological implications. Life 10(5): 71. https://doi.org/10.3390/life10050071
Vildanova G I, Allaguvatova R Z, Kunsbaeva D F, Sukhanova N V and Gaysina L A. (2023). Application of Chlorella vulgaris Beijerinck as a biostimulant for growing cucumber seedlings in hydroponics. BioTech 12(2): 42. https://doi.org/10.3390/biotech12020042
Yakhin O I, Lubyanov A A, Yakhin I A and Brown P H. (2017). Biostimulants in plant science: A global perspective. Frontiers in Plant Science 7: 2049. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2016.02049
Yoon H -S. (2020). Isolation, identification, and biochemical characteristics of a cold-tolerant Chlorella vulgaris KNUA007 isolated from King George Island, Antarctica. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 8(11): 935. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse8110935
Zhang Z, Xu M, Fan Y, Zhang L and Wang H. (2024). Using microalgae to reduce the use of conventional fertilizers in hydroponics and soil-based cultivation. Science of The Total Environment 912: 169424. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169424