Effect of living cells of microalgae or their extracts on soil enzyme activities

The enzymatic activity of the soil and potential plant growth can both be affected by the addition of different substances, such as biostimulants. The final objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of Chlorella vulgaris, Scenedesmus quadricauda or their extracts applied directly into the soil, by monitoring the complex soil-microorganism-plant system. Experiments were conducted in pots using agricultural soil and tomato plants in a growth chamber at 25 ± 2 °C illuminated by artificial light with a 16-h photoperiod. The soil biological activity was analyzed by monitoring fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis, dehydrogenases, acid and alkaline phosphomonoesterase and urease activities. Dry weight and chlorophyll index values of tomato plants were also investigated. Results showed that both the microalgae and their extracts positively affected soil biological activity by increasing values of the biochemical index of potential soil fertility (Mw) both in cultivated and uncultivated soils. The highest Mw value was reached in cultivated soil treated for 11 days with the lower concentration of S. quadricauda extract (Mw 9.47). All treatments significantly increased the growth of tomato plants with respect to untreated soil. These results are very promising with a view to improving soil biological activity as well as increasing plant growth.