Evaluation of Biostimulants for Low-Cost Input Solution for Onion Crop (Allium cepa L.) Cultivation in Four Districts of Maharashtra, by Providing Resistance or Tolerance against Abiotic and Biotic Stresses Related to Global Climate Change

Abstract

The implementation of agronomic activities, based on the use of biostimulants, is an important element of agroecological practices. Therefore, a comprehensive field trial was carried out to evaluate the potential of biostimulants in growth promotion across four districts of Maharashtra (Jalna, Ahmednagar, Aurangabad and Nasik). The study aimed to evaluate the candidacy of selected biostimulants in improving onion (Allium cepa L.) extracted from proprietary technology involving adaptive molecular re-engineering for plant growth biostimulants category. Three biostimulants were preliminary analyzed for their nutritional content. Compositional analysis revealed the presence of several macro, micronutrients as well as humic, fulvic acid. The concentration of humic and fulvic acid in sediment extract were ranged from 34-38 and 10.5-10.8 g/100g respectively. The organic carbon, total nitrogen, phosphorus, and ash contents ranged between 54-57,0.4-0.6, 0.3-0.4, and 3.3-7.2% respectively. Ash and total nitrogen content were the same for the extract 0.2% and 7.8% respectively. Onion crops were treated in three different modes, seed treatment, root drenching and foliar spray. Biostimulants were applied in combination with three different levels of chemical fertilizer 50%, 75%, and 100% RDF and compared with Control (100%RDF without biostimulants). Several qualitative and quantitative parameters such as firmness, pungency, neck diameter, bulb diameter, and yield were analysed. It was observed that all three biostimulants (Asaava, Somrith, and Yuvaani) significantly(P<0.001) affected all the measured plant traits. In addition to this, overall, we found excess chemical fertilizer imposed adverse effect on plant growth parameters. Moreover, it was concluded that with seed treatment followed by root drenching and foliar spray and optimized dosage scheduling, yield can be further improved. The best effect in overall growth and yield potential of the plants were noticed in Asaava treated plants.