Standard Operating Procedure for Testing Plant Biostimulants from Air Dried Microalgae with Germination Tests within the Nanostructurome Pipeline

A standard operating procedure (SOP) for testing plant biostimulants from air dried microalgae with germination tests is given. Microalgae-based biostimu-lants offer a sustainable approach to enhancing plant growth and resilience in response to environmental stressors such as drought and soil degradation. This study presents a standardized protocol for evaluating microalgae-based biostim-ulants through germination assays. The protocol encompasses sample prepara-tion, seed germination tests, and statistical data analysis to assess biostimulant effectiveness or phytotoxicity. Experimental procedures involve preparing bi-ostimulant solutions from dried microalgae biomass, testing their effects on seed germination and root elongation, and analyzing germination indices. ImageJ software is used for root length measurements, with data subjected to statistical validation. Standard laboratory quality control measures and data management should be followed. This protocol provides a reliable method for assessing the agricultural potential of microalgae-derived biostimulants, facilitating their fur-ther development and application in sustainable farming practices.