Effect of Bio-Algeen® preparation on growth and mycorrhizal characteristics of Norway spruce seedlings

In this paper, the effect of the Bio-Algeen® product (bio-alginate from the seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum (Linnaeus) Le Jolis) was evaluated in relation to basic mycorrhizal and growth characteristics of Norway spruce (Picea abies (Linnaeus) H. Karsten) seedlings. The seedlings were planted in a forest nursery in 5 different treatments: 4 treatments with the Bio-Algeen® product in different regimes (soaking, granulate, soaking + granulate, irrigation) and control. Compared to the control, mycorrhizal characteristics of the treated seedlings differed significantly for soaking treatment only, but they were less favourable for all treatments with this product. Among the growth characteristics, the height of aboveground parts was significantly taller compared to the control for soaking and granulate treatments, while the shoot dry weight was significantly higher for granulate treatment only. Both of these characteristics showed higher values across all treatments compared to the control. Although treated seedlings showed worse mycorrhizal characteristics, their growth was not affected by these characteristics. Thus, Bio-Algeen® can be used for an improvement of seedling growth in forest nurseries.