Bioprotectant with Multifunctional Microorganisms: A New Dimension in Plant Protection (from Journal of Biopesticides Vol1)
By Lalithakumari Janarthanam
Field Evaluation of SumaGrow-F2 over Conventional Fertilizer :
Field experiments were set with I 00% and 50% conventional fertilizer as control to evaluate SumaGrow only, SumaGrow combined with 50% fertilizer, I 00%, and 50% fertilizer only as control using corn, soybean, and peanut as test crops. There were four treatments and four replications. Fertilizer 50% with SG-F2 treatment was compared over 50% and I 00% conventional fertilizer. Fertilizer application was according to the existing Mississippi fertilizer recommendations. SumaGrow -Fl was applied at I gallon/acre in two split doses. Half a gallon of SumaGrow was applied at the time of sowing as side dressing for corn, soybean and peanut (Tl and T2). In T2 50% fertilizer was also applied as side dressing. The second application of SG-F2 for Tl and T2 was given one month after sowing. SumaGrow liquid was applied using the sprayer always focusing the base of the plant or soil.(intention is to make microbes reach the soil) Conventional fertilizer NPK 100% (T4) was also applied in two split doses. The test:crops were Corn, Soybean and Peanut. All field experiments were conducted using RBD lay out with four replications.
Results and Discussions:
The results in Table 3 showed a significant and remarkable increase in the total yield of sweet corn (G-90) directly related to the number of cobs, length of the cobs, and kernel rows. The plant height in all the treatments did not show distinct variation but the total yield was more in T2 with SumaGrow +50% NPK. In addition, number of brace roots observed was more in the SG-F2 combined with 50% conventional fertilizer. The brace roots penetrated the soil and increased the root density. Increased brix value is another important credit added to SumaGrow treatment combined with 50% fertilizer. Head smut causing disfiguring galls on the ears of corn was observed in l 00% fertilizer treated plants. Even insects like corn ear worms caused greater damage to corn in I 00% fertilizer treated plots. The high brix is nothing but the mineral density which reduced the pest and disease attack. Fungal leaf blights and rust were recorded during the late stages of com but the disease intensity was more in 100% fertilizer treatment. The grain fill is another important and interesting observation in SG-F2 treatment with 50% fertilizer. The success of pollination is due to the pollen density as a result of high brix. The effect of SumaGrow-F2 is note worthy on com because recent research shows that corn is high in antioxidants and carotenoids that are associated with health of human.