Impact of PlantCatalyst® on Seed Germination and the Hydroponic Culture of Fresh Produce

Abstract

PlantCatalyst is a patented product claiming to improve plant growth. It is made with a small amount of silica salts and extracts from lignite. Although, there are many published testimonials, no controlled research supporting or negating these claims have been published. It tested the impact of dilute solutions of this product on the rate and percent seed germination in seed boxes in a growth chamber following stand seed testing protocols. Additionally, PlantCatalyst was tested to evaluate its effects on the production of vegetables in a small commercial greenhouse. Average time of seed germination in beans, lettuce and tomatoes was significantly reduced by 7, 12 and 4%, respectively, when treated with PlantCatalyst. In the commercial greenhouse, PlantCatalyst significantly increased production of mixed variety lettuce (13%), tomatoes (24%), bell peppers (46%) and jalapenos (52%). The treatment also reduced the time to ripening in tomatoes by 2 days and jalapenos by 6 days. The finding of this study indicate that the application of PlantCatalyst can decrease the time for seeds to germinate and increase the rate of growth of plants. The primary effect seems to result from increased growth rates and shortening the time to reach maturity.

Prospects for the use of biopreparations based on VAM during growing cucumber in protected ground

“…The formation of mycorrhiza is noted in most plant species, with arbuscular mycorrhiza being the most widespread type [1,4,5]. Fungi forming arbuscular mycorrhiza receive a positive effect from symbiosis and play a key role in the development and functioning of symbiosis.…”

“…Fungi forming arbuscular mycorrhiza receive a positive effect from symbiosis and play a key role in the development and functioning of symbiosis. There are about 200 morphoids of arbuscolo-mycorrhizal fungi, nevertheless, each of these morphoids has a variety of both genetic and functional [5,6].…”

“…This imbalance leads to depletion of phosphorus compounds in the rhizosphere near the roots, which can further limit the phosphorus absorption. For this reason, plants either increase the efficiency with which they can absorb available phosphorus from the soil, or release phosphorus from insoluble sources using various mechanisms mainly extracting phosphorus reserves in the soil [5,6,9].…”