Effect of organic root plus (biostimulant) on nutrient content, growth and yield of tomato

Abstract

Greenhouse and field experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of a new biostimulant (Organic Root Plus) on the performance of tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum Mill.). The Organic Root Plus (ORP) applied at 40 l/ha (full rate) was compared with the conventional NPK fertilizer (MF) at 80kg N/ha, 20 1/ha (half-full rate) ORP, complimentary use of ORP with MF at full and half-full rates and control (no fertilizer, no organic root plus). Sole application of ORP did not improve the growth parameters of tomato but increased its root dry weight, root length and root fineness. Complimentary application of ORP with MF promoted both the vegetative growth, root development and fruit yield of the crop. Application of 40 kg N/ha MF complimented with 20 l/ha ORP increased the plant height, number of branches and plant biomass by 18.2%, 45% and 71% respectively when compared with the combination of the fertilizers at full rates. When full rate of ORP was complimented with full rate of MF, the fruit yield increased by 31% over the MF. The later was similarly effective as using half-full rate of ORP and MF.

Nigerian Journal of Soil Science Vol. 15 2005: 26-33