Thermal imaging of soybean response to drought stress: the effect of Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed extract.
Previous experiments have demonstrated positive effect of Acadian(®) extract of Ascophyllum nodosum on plant stress-resistance, however the mode of action is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to understand the physiological effect of Acadian(®) seaweed extract on the plant response to drought stress. Leaf temperature and leaf angle were measured as early-stage indicators of plant stress with thermal imaging "in situ" over a 5-day stress-recovery trial. The early stress-response of control became visible on the third day as a rapid wilting of leaves, accompanied with the asymptotic increase of leaf temperature on 4-5 °C to the thermal equilibrium with ambient air temperature. At the same time Acadian(®) treated plants still maintained turgor, accompanied with the linear increase in leaf temperature, which indicated better control of stomatal closure. Re-watering on the fifth day showed better survival of treated plants compared to control. This study demonstrated the ability of Acadian(®) seaweed extract to improve resistance of soybean plants to water stress.
Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS B2N 5E3 Canada.
Alex
A
Martynenko
Acadian Seaplants Limited, 30 Brown Ave., Dartmouth, NS B3B 1X8 Canada.
Katy
K
Shotton
Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS B2N 5E3 Canada.
Tessema
T
Astatkie
Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS B2N 5E3 Canada.
Gerry
G
Petrash
Acadian Seaplants Limited, 30 Brown Ave., Dartmouth, NS B3B 1X8 Canada.
Christopher
C
Fowler
Acadian Seaplants Limited, 30 Brown Ave., Dartmouth, NS B3B 1X8 Canada.
Will
W
Neily
Acadian Seaplants Limited, 30 Brown Ave., Dartmouth, NS B3B 1X8 Canada.
Alan T
AT
Critchley
Leaf angle; Leaf temperature; Plant stress; Seaweed extract; Stomatal conductance; Turgor; Water deficit