A Biostimulant Containing Humic and Fulvic Acids Promotes Growth and Health of Tomato ‘Bush Beefsteak’ Plants
2024
Juan Quijia Pillajo | Laura J. Chapin | Evili Marai Martins | Michelle L. Jones
Humic substances are a type of biostimulant used in greenhouse production to promote plant growth and health. Our goal was to evaluate the effect of three commercially available biostimulants containing humic and/or fulvic acids (HumaPro, FulviPro, and Micromate) on the performance and tissue nutrient concentration of Solanum lycopersicum L. &lsquo:Bush Beefsteak&rsquo: grown in a peat-based substrate. We conducted four experiments testing application rate and fertility level (50 and 100 mg&sdot:L&ndash:1 N) (Exp. 1), application rate and frequency (Exp. 2), direct Micromate incorporation into the substrate (Exp. 3), and FulviPro application method (drench vs. foliar spray) (Exp. 4). Plants were fertilized with 20N-1.3P-15.7K. Experiments 2, 3, and 4 were conducted under low fertility (50 mg&sdot:L&ndash:1 N). Micromate promoted growth when applied as a weekly drench at 40 g·:L&minus:1 or when incorporated into the substrate (20 g in 1 L of the substrate). Micromate-treated plants showed high P, S, and Si in the shoot and root tissues. FulviPro showed a negative effect when applied as a drench at higher rates, but foliar application increased greenness (Green Leaf Index). The negative effects of FulviPro might be due to the over-accumulation of Fe and Mn when applied as a drench.
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