FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY

THE USE OF A NATURAL BIOSTIMULANT (ROOTS) FOR GROWTH ENHANCEMENT OF BEDDING PLANTS

Raymond P. Poincelot, Ph.D.

Fairfield University, Fairfield CT 06430

ABSTRACT

A commercial extract of humic acids and kelp, containing a proprietary metabolite (ROOTSt.), was tested with and without fertilizer (3—5—6) as a growth biostimulant. Tests were conducted on greenhouse—produced bedding transplants and field-grown bedding plants. Tested cultivars included: basil (sweet and ‘Spicy Globe’), begonia ‘Scarlet Wings’, broccoli ‘Bonanza’, celosia ‘Firedragon’, chives (common and garlic), coleus ‘Park’s Brilliant’, cosmos ‘Sunny Red’, dahlia ‘Redskin’, dill ‘Bouquet’, dusty miller ‘Silverdust’, eggplant ‘Burpee Hybrid’, forget-me-not ‘Blue Bird’, geranium ( ‘Earliana’, ‘Hybrid Orbit’ and ‘Scarlet Border’), impatiens (‘Parade of Stars’, ‘Shady Lady’ and ‘New Guinea Tango’), marigolds (‘Climax’, ‘Gay Ladies’ and ‘Nugget’), oregano (sweet), pepper. ‘Park’s Early Thickset’, petunia ‘Total Madness’ , salvia ‘Red Hot Sally’ and tomato (‘Better Boy’ ‘Big Bog’, ‘Early Girl’ and ‘Good ‘N Early’). ROOTSta produced better—rooted transplants with increased shoot heights. Flowering and fruiting on field-tested bedding plants were also increased and earlier, whenpiants •were treated monthly with ROOTSt supplemented with ?ertilizer, as opposed to fertilizer alone. Height.:increases were also observed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A one percent solution of ROOTStR was utilized for greenhouse and field tests, respectively. The working concentration was chosen based on previous experimentation.

Experiments were initiated in the greenhouse at Fairfield University. Seeds were planted in standard plastic flats (16.5

x 11.4 x 6.4 cm or 6.5 x 4.5 x 2.5 inches). At least two flats of each cultivar were sown. Each flat was planted with suffjcent. seeds to assure the production of 12 to 24 seedlings.

The following bedding plant cultivars were obtained from Park

Seed and W. A. flurpee Company: basil (sweet and ‘Spicy

Globe’), begonia ‘Scarlet Wings’, broccoli ‘Bonanza’, celosia Fircdragon’ , chives (coiiiu’on ;.trut gaul ic) coleus ‘Paul-:’ s