Effect of Seaweed Extract and Humic Acid Treatment on the Phenological and Yield Characteristics of Guava (Psidium guajava L.)
Saishree R S
Department of Fruit Science, SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, Vendhar Nagar, Baburayanpettai-603 201, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India.
Deepika V *
Department of Fruit Science, SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, Vendhar Nagar, Baburayanpettai-603 201, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India.
Shakila S
Department of Floriculture and Landscaping Architecture, SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, Vendhar Nagar, Baburayanpettai-603 201, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India.
Mohanasundaram S
Section of Biochemistry and Crop Physiology, SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, Vendhar Nagar, Baburayanpettai-603 201, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India.
Chandrasekaran P
Department of Basic Sciences, SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, Vendhar Nagar, Baburayanpettai-603 201, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: The main aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of seaweed and humic acid treatment at different doses on the phenological characteristics and yield of guava.
Study Design: Randomized block design.
Place and Duration of Study: A field experiment was conducted from December 2023 to July 2024 to assess the impact of bio-stimulants on the phenological and yield traits of guava (var. Arka Kiran) in the Poongunam village, Chengalpattu Dist, Tamil Nadu, India.
Methodology: The experiment followed a Randomized Block Design with eight treatments: T₁ - Absolute control, T₂ - Water Spray, T₃ - 1% Seaweed Extract, T₄ - 1.5% Seaweed Extract, T₅ - 2% Seaweed Extract, T₆ - 1% Humic Acid, T₇ - 1.5% Humic Acid, and T₈ - 2% Humic Acid, each replicated three times.
Results: Results showed that 2% Seaweed Extract (T₅) significantly improved flower retention (7.55 flowers per shoot), reduced the duration from flowering to fruit set (12.47 days), and shortened the time from fruit set to harvest (121.56 days). T₅ also led to the highest fruit set (68.65%), lowest fruit drop (48.72%), largest fruit weight (150.02 g), and greatest yield (13.35 kg/tree). Humic Acid at 2% (T₈) also improved fruit set (64.32%), fruit drop (49.54%), and yield (12.34 kg/tree), but was less effective than Seaweed Extract.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates the potential of Seaweed Extract as a powerful bio-stimulant to enhance guava production, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional chemical treatments.
Keywords: Sustainable agriculture, arka kiran, seaweed extract, humic acid, yield attributes