Effects of a new humic-algal-vitamin biostimulant (ROOTS(TM)) on vegetative growth of coffee seedlings

This research dealt with the development and testing of a new plant biostimulant that may have an important impact in agriculture, forestry and horticulture production. A new liquid, algal-humic-vitamin preparation known as ROOTS;The findings of this study showed that the biostimulant has a different function in plant production than a fertilizer; it increased efficiency of nutrient uptake, allowing up to a 50% reduction in fertilizer application.;These results suggest two mechanisms of ROOTS;The main function of the biostimulant is to promote water and nutrient uptake, probably due to increased membrane permeability. The biostimulant does not function as a growth regulator in the usual sense. It is not a synthetic plant hormone. Plants treated with the biostimulant have higher relative water content, more chlorophyll and greater rates of photosynthesis.;A greenhouse experiment was performed using Coffea arabica var. 'Caturra' seedlings to test whether the biostimulant can maintain or increase vegetative growth of coffee plants with reduced levels of fertilizer by increasing the efficiency of nutrient uptake, allowing substantial reduction in fertilizer applications. The objectives of this study were: (1) To validate preliminary results of the effects of an algal-humic-vitamin biostimulant on growth of coffee seedlings; (2) To evaluate the nutritional, morphological and physiological responses of coffee seedlings to the biostimulant; and (3) To determine the mechanisms through which the biostimulant affects both root and shoot biomass.