Leonardite and Fertilizer Levels Influence Tomato Seedling Growth

Abstract

Additional index words. humic acid, fulvic acid, Lycopersicon esculentum Abstract. New Mexico-mined raw leonardite was characterized by comparing it with the International Humic Substances Society's Standard Leonardite. In the first experiment, adding as little as 1/64 leonardite (v/v) to a sand medium increased tomato [Lycopersicon esculentum (L.) Mill. 'Mountain Pride'] root and shoot growth compared with plants produced with fertilizer alone. Growth increased linearly with increasing leonardite levels, from 0% to 25%; however, 50% leonardite inhibited growth. In a second experiment, leonardite alone had no effect on plant height, shoot or root fresh and dry weight, or total leaf area, but stimulated growth when combined with a complete fertilizer. Adding 1/3 leonardite (v/v) (the highest level) and a complete fertilizer increased plant height 40%, total leaf area 160%, shoot fresh weight 134%, root fresh weight 82%, shoot dry weight 133%, and root dry weight 400%.

Foliar and soil fertilization of humic acid affect productivity and quality of tomato

“…It was reported that HA applied into growing medium increased the shoot and root dry matter contents (Turkmen et al, 2004). Similarly, Pertuit et al (2001) indicated that the addition of HA into a sand medium increased shoot dry matter content of tomato. Our results support the previous reports.…”

Humic acid applications to lettuce do not improve yield but do improve phosphorus availability

“…Bö hme & Thi Lua (1997) reported that humic acid had beneficial effects on the nutrient uptake by plants, and was particularly important in the transportation and availability of micro-nutrients in plants. The effects of humic acid derived from different organic wastes on seedling growth of tomato in some growth media were investigated by David et al (1994), Loffredo et al (1997), Pertuit et al (2001), andAtiyeh et al (2002).…”

`Little hedgehog' (Paeonia suffruticosa `Xiao Ci Wei')—A Unique Chinese Tree Peony Cultivar Possessing Special Bicolored Petals With Tubular Tip Structure (Paeoniaceae)

“…Humates benefit vegetable production through building of soil, plant development, or by contributing nutrients (Bryan, 1976;O'Donnell, 1973;Pertuit et al, 2001). Humic compounds are reported to provide benefits to vegetables by stimulating root development in bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and corn, improving seedling and young tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)…”

“…These materials, generally found at high levels in soils relatively high in organic matter, can improve plant development (Schnitzer and Poapst, 1967) and have been credited with hormone-like effects (O'Donnell, 1973). Humic substances have been reported to benefit vegetable development (Pertuit et al, 2001;Seyedbagheri et al, 2001). Another material, corn gluten meal (CGM), has properties as a nonspecific herbicide (Bingaman and Christians, 1995;Liu et al, 1994;McDade and Christians, 2000) and contains up to 10% N. There is insufficient information on the appropriate levels of CGM and humates that should be used for organic vegetable production, especially during the transition to organic production.…”