Biostimulant effect on the initial growth and yield of sweet potato

ABSTRACT

The use of biostimulants in agriculture has shown positive effects on the yield of some crops. However, there are few studies on the use of these products in crops which commercialized parts are the roots. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of different concentrations of the biostimulant Stimulate^(r)on the sweet potato initial growth and tuberous root yield. Two experiments were carried out using stem segments partially immersed in solutions containing biostimulant. In a greenhouse experiment, the experiment was arranged in a completely randomized 6 x 6 factorial design, with six biostimulant concentrations (0, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 mL L^-1)and six collection times (10, 19, 28, 37, 46 and 55 days after planting) of roots and leaves. In the field, the experiment was arranged in a randomized block design, and the treatments consisted of six biostimulant concentrations (0, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 mL L^-1). The percentage of rooted segments was not affected by the treatments. The biostimulant influenced the number of roots and leaves, but their dry mass was not affected. The tuberous root yield was not different among treatments, with mean values of total and commercial yields equal to 25.5 and 22.3 t ha^-1, respectively. Therefore, the biostimulant interferes in the number of roots and leaves, but it does not increase yield of tuberous root up to the concentration of 15 mL L^-1.

Keywords:
Ipomoea batatas(L.) Lam.; plant growth regulator; Stimulate^(r); bioregulator.