Seaweed Collection and Extract Preparation

Brown (Sargassum muticum) and red (Jania rubens) algae were collected in April-May 2014 from shallow water along the shore of Red Sea, Safaga, Egypt. The identification of species was carried out using standard taxonomic practices (Edwards et al. 2012). The collected samples were washed with sterilized water to remove debris, dried initially for 7 days under sunlight and then heated at 80 °C for 24 h. Dried seaweeds were ground to fine powder using electric mill, and then the powder was boiled with water at 1:1 ratio (w/v) for 2 h. The homogenate was filtered using Whatman No. 2 filter paper, and the extract was stored in amber colored bottles at 4 °C. Sar gassum muticum (Sar) and Jan ia rubens (Jan) extracts were further diluted to make different concentrations, including 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5%, and then used in preliminary evaluation of growth response of chickpea seedlings. On the basis of the preliminary optimal growth test, 1% concentration of the extracts containing 0.1% Tween-20 (at final concentration) was selected for further studies.