Jul 2026· Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology· Vol 29, pp. 99-110· 0 citations
Abstract
Background: Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) productivity and fruit quality are strongly influenced by nutrient availability and crop-management practices. Humic acid and seaweed extract are plant biostimulants that may enhance vegetative growth, yield, and quality when applied at appropriate concentrations.
Aims: This study evaluated the individual and interactive effects of foliar-applied humic acid and seaweed extract on the growth, yield, fruit quality, and economic performance of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cv. Arka Samrat.
Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Farm, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur, during the Rabi season of 2025–26.
Methodology: The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomised block design with two factors: humic acid at four concentrations (0, 2, 4, and 6 mL/L) and seaweed extract at four concentrations (0, 2, 4, and 6 mL/L). The 16 treatment combinations were replicated three times, and the observed data were analysed using OPSTAT.
Results: Significant differences were observed among the treatments. Among the treatment combinations, humic acid at 4 mL/L combined with seaweed extract at 4 mL/L (M3T3) recorded the greatest plant height (312.62 cm), number of branches per plant (9.07), plant spread (65.92 cm), number of leaves per plant (69.13), number of clusters per plant (11.80), and number of flowers per cluster (9.01). It also recorded the fewest days to first flowering (27.69), 50% flowering (36.96), and first fruiting (41.95), together with the greatest number of fruits per cluster (8.24), average fruit weight (109.73 g), fruit yield per plant (6.40 kg), number of fruits per plant (58.35), total soluble solids (4.99 °Brix), ascorbic acid content (26.68 mg/100 g), and benefit–cost ratio (2.97).
Conclusion: The treatment combination of humic acid at 4 mL/L and seaweed extract at 4 mL/L (M3T3) produced the most favourable growth, yield, quality, and economic responses under the conditions of this experiment. However, these findings are indicative and require further experimentation across seasons and locations before broader recommendations can be made.
Aims: This study evaluated the individual and interactive effects of applied biostimulants on the growth, yield, quality, and economic performance of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) cv. Pusa Desi.
Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Farm, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur (Rajasthan), during 2025-26.
Methodology: The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomised block design with two factors: commercial biostimulants (control, humic acid @ 3%, fulvic acid @ 3%, and salicylic acid @ 50 mg/L) and traditional biostimulants (control, moringa leaf extract @ 3%, vermiwash @ 3%, and cow urine [1:10]). The 16 treatment combinations were replicated three times, and the observed data were analysed using OPSTAT.
Results: Significant differences were observed among the treatments. Among the treatment combinations, humic acid @ 3% and moringa leaf extract @ 3% (T1×M1) recorded the maximum plant height (35.5 cm at 45 DAS and 51.6 cm at harvest), root-shoot ratio (1.15 cm at 45 DAS and 1.20 cm at harvest), average leaf area (218.48 cm2 at 45 DAS), leaf area index (3.36 at 45 DAS), number of leaves per plant (8.4 at 30 DAS and 12.61 at 45 DAS), chlorophyll a content (2 mg/g at 30 DAS and 2.2 mg/g at 45 DAS), chlorophyll b content (1.17 mg/g at 30 DAS and 1.33 mg/g at 45 DAS), total chlorophyll content (3.23 mg/g at 30 DAS and 3.24 mg/g at 45 DAS), maximum root diameter (5 cm at 45 DAS and 5.7 cm at harvest), average root weight (123 g at 45 DAS and 130 g at harvest), yield per plot (5.2 kg), yield per hectare (433 q/ha), TSS content in roots (4.24 ºBrix at 45 DAS and 4.4 ºBrix at harvest), vitamin C (27.9 mg/day at 45 DAS and 31.6 mg/day at harvest), total phenolic content (2.16 mg GAE/g at 45 DAS and 2.51 mg GAE/g at harvest), beta-carotene (4.12 mg at 45 DAS and 4.16 mg at harvest), and the highest B:C ratio of 3.16.
Conclusion: The results of our research indicated that the application of humic acid @ 3% and moringa leaf extract @ 3% (T1×M1) increased the growth, yield, and quality of radish. However, these findings are indicative and require further experimentation across seasons and locations before broader recommendations can be made.
Anisha, Dipayan Sarkar, M. Bundela et al.· Journal of Advances in Biolo...· 0 citations
A field experiment was conducted during the kharif season of 2024–25 at the College of Horticulture, Bagalkot, to investigate the effects of micronutrients and plant growth regulators (PGRs) on growth, yield and nutrient uptake of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). The experiment was arranged in a randomised block design (RBD) with ten treatments and 3 replications. The treatments consisted of foliar application of micronutrients (zinc, (Zn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and boron (B)) and PGRs (gibberellic acid (GA₃) and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA)) in various combinations along with the recommended dose of fertilisers (RDF). The results revealed that the combined application of micronutrients and PGRs significantly enhanced vegetative growth, flowering, yield attributes, fruit quality and nutrient uptake compared to RDF alone. Among the treatments, foliar application of GA₃ and NAA (60 c each) along with zinc sulphate (ZnSO₄), iron sulphate (FeSO₄), copper sulphate (CuSO₄) and boric acid (0.015 % each) recorded the highest fruit yield (74.04 t ha-1), along with improved growth parameters, yield components and quality traits such as total soluble solids (TSS) and ascorbic acid content. This treatment also resulted in higher nutrient uptake and economic returns, with a benefit–cost ratio of 3.19. The study concludes that the integrated foliar application of micronutrients (0.015 %) and PGRs (60 ppm) is an effective strategy to enhance productivity, quality and nutrient uptake of tomato under field conditions.
S. Raju, B. Praveenkumar, B. Dhananjaya et al.· Plant Science Today· 0 citations
An experiment was conducted during 2025–2026 at the Central Orchard (Horticulture Research Farm), Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, Faculty of Agriculture, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences (SHUATS), Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India, to evaluate foliar applications of plant growth regulators, micronutrients, and seaweed extract in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cv. Kandhari. Eight-year-old, uniform trees of pomegranate cv. Kandhari were used for the study. The experiment was laid out in a randomised block design (RBD) with eleven treatments and three replications. The treatments comprised foliar applications of plant growth regulators (GA₃ and NAA), micronutrients (ZnSO₄ and borax), and seaweed extract, applied individually and in different combinations. The first foliar spray was applied in September 2025. The results revealed that treatment T₁₀ (GA₃ at 100 ppm + NAA at 40 ppm + seaweed extract at 5 ml L⁻¹ + ZnSO₄ at 0.5% + borax at 0.2%) produced the maximum vegetative growth and was the most effective treatment. However, T₆ (NAA at 40 ppm + ZnSO₄ at 0.5% + borax at 0.2%) was found to be the most economically viable treatment. The study indicates that integrated foliar application of plant growth regulators, micronutrients, and seaweed extract can significantly improve vegetative growth, total number of flowers, number of fruits per plant, and fruit weight (g) in pomegranate under Prayagraj agro-climatic conditions.
Rajani Srivastava, Deepak Lall, Vijay Bahadur et al.· International Journal of Pla...· 0 citations
The increasing demand for sustainable tomato production has intensified the search for environmentally friendly nutrient management strategies that can improve crop productivity while maintaining soil health. This study evaluated the effects of different rates and combinations of vermicast and vermitea on the growth, yield, fruit quality, postharvest performance, and profitability of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) under the agroecological conditions of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. The experiment was conducted using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with six treatments and three replications. Growth parameters, flowering characteristics, yield components, fruit quality, postharvest attributes, and economic returns were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Results revealed that vermicast and vermitea significantly influenced all measured parameters (P ≤ 0.01). The combined application of 80 g vermicast + 1000 ml vermitea per 16 L water (T3) consistently produced the best overall performance, recording the highest final plant height (86.37 cm), height increment (75.43 cm), number of leaves (86.00), flowers (53.00), fruits per plant (41.00), average fruit weight (98.27 g), total fruit yield (4.02 kg plant⁻¹), marketable yield (21.43 t ha⁻¹), and market quality (97.56%). The same treatment also extended shelf life, minimized fruit cracking, and generated the highest gross income (₱642,000.00 ha⁻¹), net income (₱447,596.24 ha⁻¹), return on investment (230.24%), and benefit-cost ratio (3.30). Meanwhile, vermitea applied alone enhanced stem diameter, fruit firmness, fruit size, and accelerated flowering. Overall, integrating vermicast and vermitea proved to be an effective and economically viable organic nutrient management strategy for improving tomato growth, fruit quality, yield, and profitability. The study demonstrates the potential of vermicompost-based amendments as sustainable alternatives to synthetic fertilizers for enhancing tomato production under local farming conditions.
MARITES U. PERALTA· International Journal of Aqu...· 0 citations
Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) are horticultural plants from the Solanaceae family that contain protein, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphate, iron, fat, and vitamins. Tomato production in Indonesia has declined due to the lack of nutrients absorbed by tomato plants. Efforts that can be made include the application of Liquid Organic Fertilizer (LOF) and Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR). This study was conducted to examine the interaction between LOF and PGPR and to determine the appropriate concentrations of LOF and PGPR for tomato plant growth and yield. The research was conducted from February to June 2025 in Ampeldento Village, Karangploso District, Malang Regency. The design used was a Factorial Randomized Group Design (FRGD) consisting of two treatment factors, namely LOF and PGPR. The LOF factor consisted of 4 treatment levels and the PGPR consisted of 3 treatment levels. Each treatment was repeated 3 times, resulting in 36 experimental units. If there was a significant effect, it was followed by a Honest Significant Difference (HSD) at the 5% level. The results showed that there was an interaction between the application of LOF concentration and PGPR concentration on the growth and yield parameters of tomato plants. The combination of 30 ml L-1 LOF and 40 ml L-1 PGPR produced higher average plant height, number of leaves, leaf area,fresh weight, dry weight, crop growth rate, total number of fruits per plant, fruit weight per plant, and fruit weight per hectare, so that combination is the appropriate treatment to support tomato plant growth and yield.
Nur Azizah Restanti, S. Tyasmoro· PLANTROPICA: Journal of Agri...· 0 citations
Onion (Allium cepa L.) is an economically important vegetable crop valued for its culinary, nutritional, and commercial significance. Optimising the foliar application of plant growth regulators and micronutrients may improve onion growth, bulb yield, quality, and production economics. The study aims to evaluate the effects of plant growth regulators and zinc on the growth, yield, and quality of onion. A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2025–26 at the Horticulture Research Field, Prof. Rajendra Singh (Rajju Bhaiya) University, Naini, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, The experiment was arranged in a randomised block design with seven treatments and three replications. The treatments comprised GA₃ (100 ppm), NAA (200 ppm), zinc (0.1%), and their combinations, applied as foliar sprays at 30 and 60 days after transplanting (DAT). Among the treatments, T₅ (GA₃ 100 ppm + zinc 0.1%) produced the highest plant height (56.57, 60.12, and 66.19 cm), number of leaves per plant (6.87, 8.00, and 13.01), pseudostem length (6.83, 9.32, and 14.74 cm), and pseudostem diameter (1.92, 2.83, and 3.51 cm) at 45, 60, and 90 DAT, respectively. The same treatment also recorded the highest average bulb weight (85.36 g), polar diameter (6.14 cm), equatorial diameter (6.33 cm), yield per plot (11.35 kg plot⁻¹), and yield per hectare (28.38 t ha⁻¹), followed by T₆ (NAA 200 ppm + zinc 0.1%). In contrast, the highest total soluble solids (12.20 °Brix), titratable acidity (0.31%), ascorbic acid (13.43 mg 100 g⁻¹), and total sugar content (6.43%) were recorded under T₄ (GA₃ 100 ppm + NAA 200 ppm). The control (T₇) recorded the lowest values for most parameters. In this study, GA₃ (100 ppm) combined with zinc (0.1%) improved onion growth and yield, whereas GA₃ (100 ppm) combined with NAA (200 ppm) improved bulb quality.
Gyanendra Singh, Lavkush Pandey, Shivkant Singh Chandel et al.· International Journal of Pla...· 0 citations
