Role of Azolla Pinnata Biofertilizer Extract in Producing Healthy Tomatoes

Abstract

Well-known commercial Tomato seeds (Alisa) were obtained from a famous local store. All seeds were grouped into 7 groups (5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, and Control), which were equivalent to different Azolla biofertilizers extract. Seeds of each group were left immersed in the equivalent concentration 24 hours before sown in pots with growing media of 1 peat: 1Vermeculite at the beginning of summer season (First week of May). At the time of transplantation to the field, three pots of each group were used for seed germination test; Seeds were transplanted into the field after 6 weeks. After three days of transplantation, control solution (without Azolla biofertilizer) and different Azolla biofertilizers were foliar applied, the process was repeated every 15 days till 45 days after transplanting. Randomized Complete Block Design with three replicates was adapted. Each block consisted of two rows of 1.5m in wide and 5 m long (15 m2/plot), plant spacing was 50 cm, and each replicate has 20 plants. The suggested development approaches for the summer season were conducted all through the developing season. Vegetative growth of the tomatoes was expressed as plant height, plant length, branch flower clusters, and fruits were estimated in five plants/plot after 50 days from the date of transplanting. Tomatoes of control group and Tomatoes that showed a strong vegetative growth were used for feeding Winstar rats. All Biochemical parameters showed a highly significant difference compared to the control group.