Revolutionizing watermelon growth: harnessing the power of Lithothamnium calcareum nanoparticles

Authors

  • Moisés Bento Tavares Department of Agronomic and Forest Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, RN, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2233-4138
  • Andréia Mitsa Paiva Negreiros Department of Agronomic and Forest Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, RN, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9544-2527
  • Edicleide Macedo da Silva Department of Agronomic and Forest Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, RN, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3196-6516
  • Gilmara Vitória Soares Moreira Department of Agronomic and Forest Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, RN, Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0219-1421
  • Erika Valente Medeiros Universidade Federal do Agreste de Pernambuco, Garanhuns, PE, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5543-9414
  • Naama Jessica de Assis Melo Department of Agronomic and Forest Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, RN, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1437-3436
  • José Irinaldo de Jesus Cipriano Carlos Department of Agronomic and Forest Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, RN, Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4039-7085
  • Rui Sales Júnior Department of Agronomic and Forest Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, RN, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9097-0649

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-21252026v3914341rc

Keywords:

Calcareous algae. Citrullus lanatus L. Concentrated suspension. Fertilizer. Micronized powder.

Abstract

Lithothamnium calcareum, a marine alga, can be used as a low-cost and eco-friendly tool to improve soil conditions, thereby enhancing crop development and meeting calcium requirements of plants grown in acidic soils. In this sense, the present study evaluated effects of different application rates, formulations, and application intervals of L. calcareum on development of watermelon plants, Citrullus lanatus cv. ‘Crimson Sweet.’ Two experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design. The first experiment evaluated different formulations and application rates of L. calcareum: micronized powder (MP: 50 Kg ha-1), concentrated suspension (CS: 10 L ha-1, 20 L ha-1, and 30 L ha-1), and nanoparticles (1 Kg ha-1, 5 Kg ha-1, and 10 Kg ha-1). In the second experiment, MP, CS, and nanoparticle formulations were assessed under three application intervals (7+7+7+7, 10+10+10, and 14+14 days). Results indicated that application of 5 L ha⁻¹ increased shoot length, which was 45% higher than control. Moreover, Nano formulation (1 kg ha⁻¹) promoted the best root system performance, showing root dry mass three times greater than control. In the second experiment, seven-day application intervals associated with Nano formulation provided the largest increase in root dry mass (0.42 g). In conclusion, the use of L. calcareum nanoparticles applied at               1 kg ha⁻¹ and 7-day intervals represents the most efficient strategy to optimize watermelon root development, constituting a viable tool for organic production systems.

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Published

26-05-2026

Issue

Vol. 39 (2026)

Section

Scientific Article

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