TY - JOUR AU - Sandhu, Ravneet K. AU - Nandwani, Dilip AU - Nwosisi, Sochinwechi PY - 2018/04/01 Y2 - 2024/03/28 TI - Assessing seaweed extract as a biostimulant on the yield of organic leafy greens in Tennessee JF - The Journal of Agriculture of the University of Puerto Rico JA - JAUPR VL - 102 IS - 1-2 SE - Articles DO - 10.46429/jaupr.v102i1-2.17531 UR - https://revistas.upr.edu/index.php/jaupr/article/view/17531 SP - 53-64 AB - <p>Biostimulants are a better alternative to expensive organic fertilizers&nbsp;used in certified organic crop production. Seaweed extracts (Stimplex®),&nbsp;derived from brown algae (<em>Ascophyllum nodosum</em>) present in marine water,&nbsp;can be used as a "biostimulant" in agriculture to enhance plant yield and&nbsp;improve plant growth. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effect of&nbsp;Stimplex® on the yield of leafy green vegetables produced in an organic&nbsp;farming system. A Stimplex® greenhouse trial was conducted in fall 2015&nbsp;and spring 2016 at the Tennessee State University organic research farm. Six&nbsp;leafy greens –lettuce, mustard, kale, Swiss chard, amaranths and collards–&nbsp;were foliar sprayed with Stimplex® (treated) bi-weekly for six weeks at the&nbsp;recommended dose of 3.2 ml/L (0.4 oz/gal of water), and six were untreated&nbsp;(control). Seedlings were raised in the greenhouse from organic seeds in&nbsp;pots, and organic management practices were followed per National Organic&nbsp;Program standards throughout the study. For each leafy green, a total of five&nbsp;treated potted plants and five untreated potted plants were used in three&nbsp;replications. Results showed that plants treated with Stimplex® were more&nbsp;vigorous, healthier and increased yield over untreated plants, except for&nbsp;amaranths. The percentage increase in plant yield of all crops was between&nbsp;11% and 35%. The highest and lowest increase in plant yield was observed&nbsp;in the mustard greens (35.8 %) and Swiss chard (11.0%). Results suggest&nbsp;Stimplex® stimulates higher yields in leafy greens.</p> ER -