Kale Seed Germination and Plant Growth Responses to Two Different Processed Biostimulants from Pyrolysis and Hydrothermal Carbonization

The cost of producing organic crops is increasing. Agricultural wastes can be used as biostimulants to increase plant growth and productivity and reduce the dependence on chemical fertilizers. A pouch assay and a potted greenhouse experiment were conducted to investigate the effect of pyroligneous acid (PA) and sea lettuce (SL) on kale (Brassica oleracea subsp. acephala (DC.) Metzg) seed germination and growth. Although previous studies have demonstrated that these two biostimulants could promote plant germination and growth, there is little research to compare their effects on seed germination and plant growth. The pouch assay showed that PA liquid affected the seed germination rate under different concentrations; the seed germination rate decreased as the concentration of PA liquid increased. However, the effect of seed germination was less pronounced in SL liquids. Kale seeds treated with 0.01% PA showed the best elongation and seedling growth performance. Moreover, the greenhouse experiment indicates that SL liquids significantly (p < 0.05) affected kale growth production, while PA liquid had less difference on kale growth under various concentrations. The 0.25% PA and 1% SL increased the aboveground fresh weight by ca. 26% and 29%, respectively. Also, the phytochemical contents of kale leaves, including phenolics, flavonoids, ascorbate, and protein, were significantly increased with 0.25% PA and 1% SL application. These results suggest that low concentrations of PA are more suitable for seedling root growth in kale and 1% SL had the most significant growth-promoting effect on kale. Hydrothermal carbonization sea lettuce liquid can be used as a good biostimulant for agricultural production to improve kale germination and growth.