Annals of Advanced Agricultural Sciences

Soil Conditioning Potentials of a New Bio-activator “Elixir” and its Effect on Yield Increase of Cooled Plastic House and Pot Crops

Download PDF (145.2 KB) PP. 70 - 74 Pub. Date: November 3, 2017

DOI: 10.22606/as.2017.12004

Author(s)

Saifeldin M. Elamin^*
Department of Horticulture, CAS, Sudan University of Science and Technology, 2Agricultural Research Corporation, Khartoum,
Randa B. M. Ali
Agricultural Research Corporation, Khartoum
Asim F. Abo-Sarra
Agricultural Research Corporation, Khartoum
Suliaman H. Nasser
Dept. of Soil and Environment Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Khartoum
Um-Kalthom A. Fadlelmola
Ministry of Agriculture, Gadarif State, El-rahad.

Abstract

Four experiments were conducted in Khartoum State in 2013 and 2014. The main objectives were to study the effect of a new bio-activator and organic fertilizer ‘’Elixir’’ on growth and yield of cucumber, tomatoes, and Abu Sabien as well as testing the soil conditioning ability of the product. The two sites of cucumber and their combined results showed that application of Elixir (1.0 l/tunnel/week) in combination with NPK (1.0 kg 10:50:10 and 1.0 kg 10:10:35/tunnel/week), up to end of the crop, gave significantly high number of fruits/m2 (123) and yield (10.53 kg/m2 ) under cooled plastic house conditions compared to foliar fertilizer combined with NPK (high P and high K), Elixir alone and the control NPK (20:20:20) alone, all at the same rate. Results of Elixir applied as a soil conditioner at the rate of one liter per standard plastic house per week, up to end of the crop, on growth, productivity and quality of tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., fruits under cooled plastic houses was remarkably better compared to other soil conditioners, Humic acid, EM and Clean salt. Elixir application resulted in significantly high yields (145.5 t/ha) by tomato variety Newten. Significant reductions in the soil electrical conductivity (Ece.) were recorded by different application rates of Elixir: 5 ml, 10 ml, 15 ml, 20 ml and 25 ml, (2.7 to 2.9 dSm-1) compared to the control (3.4 dSm-1).

Keywords

Elixir, bio-fertilizer, soil conditioner, yield increase, cooled plastic house.

References

[1] H. Willer, “Organic farming research worldwide.” An overview. Ecology & Farming, 2009.

[2] F. Offermann and H. Nieberg, “Economic performance of organic farms in Europe.” In: Organic farming in Europe: Economics and Policy. Un. of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Vol. 5, 198 p. 2000.

[3] M. Stolze, A. Piorr, A. H?ring and S. Dabbert, “The environmental impacts of organic farming in Europe.” In: Organic farming in Europe: Economics and Policy, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Vol. 6, 127 p. 2000.

[4] D. Pimentel , P. Hepperly, J. Hanson, D. Douds and R. Seidel. “Environmental, energetic and economic comparisons of organic and conventional farming systems.” BioScience . Vol.55, (no.7), pp. 573-582, 2005.

[5] W. Helga. “Organic Horticulture World-wide,” 28th International Horticultural Congress, Symposium Organic Horticulture: Productivity and Sustainability. August 22-27, 2010.

[6] http://www.organic-world.net/statistics-data-tables-dynamic.html, 2012. FiBL-IFOAM. “Organic World.” Global Organic Farming Statistics and News. 2012.

[7] M T.Yousif, I. I. Idris, M. E. Elkashif and F. M. Baraka, “Response of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) to application of plant activator, Manda 31.” In F. Asim Abu-Sarra and Kamal El-Siddig (eds.). Proceedings of 46th Meeting of the National Crop Husbandry Committee, Ministry of Science and Technology, Agricultural research Corporation. 2009.

[8] J.L. Smith and E.A. Paul, The significance of soil microbial biomass estimation. Publication of Soil Biology and Soil Biochemistry,Vol. 6, pp. 357-396. 1990.

[9] Mejbah Uddin, Abul Kashem, Khan Towhid Osman, “Effect of Organic and Inorganic Amendments on the Phyto-availability of Phosphorus to Corn (Zea mays).” Open Journal of Soil Science, Vol. 2, pp. 50-54, 2012.

[10] A. Sujit, Vermicompost, the story of organic gold: A review. Agricultural Sciences. Vol.3, (no.7), pp. 24396-24413, 2012.