Wood vinegar and fermented bioextracts: Natural products to enhance growth and yield of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Abstract

Wood vinegar (WV) or pyroligneous acid and fermented bioextracts (FB) from plants or animal residues, have been used in agriculture in an attempt to reduce the dependence on the use of chemicals. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of WV and FB on growth and yield of tomato, cv. Delta, in pot and field experiments. The study was undertaken between December 2008 and May 2009. A split-plot design with four replications was used. The main-plot treatments comprised high and low application rates of chemical fertilizer, while the sub-plot treatments were water, diluted FB (1:500 by volume), WV (1:800 by volume) applied as soil drench and foliar spray, in nine treatment combinations which included untreated control treatment. The foliar spray and soil drench treatments were applied at 10 day-intervals after transplanting (30 days after emergence). The results of two experiments were in agreement, with rates of chemical fertilizer clearly increasing the yield of tomato (P<0.01). The application of WV and FB, alone or in combination, showed small increases in total plant dry weight, fruit number, fruit fresh weight and fruit dry weight, but significantly enhanced total soluble solutes of tomato fruit (P<0.01). Wood vinegar and fermented bioextracts had similar effects on the growth and yield of tomato. However, when used in combination, there was an additive effect. Wood vinegar and fermented bioextracts can be used in the form foliar sprays or as a soil drench, there being no significantly difference in the effects found in any traits, between the methods of application.