Foliar application of Ascophyllum nodosum-derived biostimulant affects the cultivation of Cucurbita pepo

Abstract

The application of a biostimulant derived from Ascophyllum nodosum (Linnaeus) Le Jolis was hypothesized to positively impact pumpkin development and yield. This study evaluated the effects of foliar application of increasing biostimulant doses (0.0, 150, 200, 250, and 300 mL ha⁻¹) on the growth and production of Cucurbita pepo L. The treatments demonstrated significant increases in fruit diameter (9.41%), fruit length (8.80%), fruit fresh weight (30.44%), plant height (15.21%), and plant diameter (16.83%) at the maximum dose of 300 mL ha⁻¹. These results indicate that foliar application of the biostimulant enhances fruit development and overall plant growth, with linear responses observed for most parameters. The findings suggest that biostimulants derived from A. nodosum can effectively improve pumpkin cultivation while supporting sustainable agricultural practices.