Simple and Economical Methods for Producing a Nano-Algae Fertilizer and its Efficacy for Germination of Cucumber Seeds

The purpose of this study was to investigate and evaluate the effect of three different seaweed extracts (alkali extract, acid extract, neutral extract) on germination parameters of cucumber seeds. The first extract was treated with potassium hydroxide solution (Alg. K), the second was treated with nitric acid (Alg. N), and a third one was treated with potassium hydroxide and nitric acid (Alg. KN). Green algae (Ulva sp) were used to prepare these extracts. Four concentrations of Alg. K, Alg. N, and Alg. KN (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 %) were used to construct priming treatments in a completely randomized design with three repetitions. The cucumber (Cucumis Sativa) seeds were soaked three hours in treated seaweed extracts then put on wet filter sheets in Petri dishes to germinate for three to four days at 28°C. Comparing Alg. K treatments to Alg. N and Alg. KN treatments, the results showed that Alg. K treatments greatly boosted germination parameters. The most effective way to improve germination parameters are to prime cucumber seeds with 0.3% Alg. K, according to statistical analysis of the data collected. Alkaline extract method was the most efficient and fastest in terms of the specifications of algae fertilizer from the smell and content of organic matter and potassium.