Effect of Seaweed Saps Kappaphycus alvarezii and Gracilaria on Growth, Yield and Quality of Rice

A field experiment was conducted during 2013 to study the fertilizer potential of seaweed saps (Kappaphycus alvarezii and Gracilaria) on growth, yield, quality and chlorophyll response of rice var. ADT 43. Foliar sprays of both saps at the rate of 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10 and 15% were sprayed on foliage of rice at 35, 45 and 60 days after transplanting along with control (no spray). Foliar spraying of seaweed extract on foliage of rice significantly influenced the growth, yield attributes, grain yield, quality and chlorophyll content. Results revealed that spraying of seaweed extract @ 15% K sap with 100% RDF recorded significantly higher growth, yield attributes and chlorophyll content that were followed by spraying of seaweed extract @ 15% G sap with 100% RDF. It was found that yield of grain was increased significantly by 11.80% and 9.52% for plants receiving 15% concentrations of both K sap and G sap respectively, over control.