Sea minerals and marine recycled water use obtained through an innovative extraction process for the cultivation of Impatiens glandulifera and Helianthus annuus

Research objective: The aim of this research was to evaluate the stimulating potential of (FertilTomix: product based on minerals and organic molecules from the sea) obtained from an innovative extraction process and to determine the possible use of the recycled sea water obtained from this process for the cultivation of Impatiens glandulifera and Helianthus annuus.

Materials and Methods: The experiments, which started in September 2022, were conducted in the CREA-OF greenhouses in Pescia, Italy. Two experiments were carried out for each species in cultivation. One test was performed to evaluate the biostimulant activity of FertilTomix compared with an algae-based biostimulant and a fertilised control. A second experiment was carried out to evaluate the possible use of water obtained from the extraction process of sea minerals as possible irrigation water for plants. On February 15, 2023, plant height, leaves number, leaves surface area, vegetative weight, roots weight and length, the number of germinated seeds, average germination time, the number of microorganisms in the substrate, plants dead number were determined. In addition, the SPAD index was measured on three leaves pinched from the bottom to the apex of the canopy of each plant (for a total of 90 measurements per treatment).

Results and Discussion: The first experiment showed that the use of FertilTomix, irrespective of the extraction process, was able to significantly increase seed germination, vegetative and root growth (Figures 2-3), root length and reduce mortality of Impatiens glandulifera plants (Tables 1-2). As found in the first experiment in the treated theses, a significant increase in microbial biomass was noted, which definitely influenced seed germination, vegetative and root development and significantly reduced plant mortality. With regard to the second part of the experiment carried out to test whether recycled water, obtained from the extraction process of sea minerals, was valid for plant irrigation, the data showed that it can indeed be used successfully on Helianthus annuus. There are as yet no cost-effective technologies and processes in the world capable of extracting minerals from seawater that are useful for fertilising plants and recycling process water that can be used for irrigation. The technology of the FertilTomix product itself could be regarded as innovations in this respect, which deserve great consideration and expanded knowledge.

Conclusions: The test demonstrated a significant effect on plant growth after the application of certain extracts obtained by an innovative mineral extraction process from seawater. Furthermore, the possibility of being able to use recycled seawater from this process to irrigate plants, which is very interesting and applicable in countries where this resource is scarce. New experiments are currently underway to test the product on new plant species in and out of soil and to assess whether the application of FertilTomix can increase the organoleptic and nutraceutical quality of treated fruits and vegetables.