Effect of Liquid Maxiflo (Azospirillum spp.) and Trykoside (Trichoderma spp.) on the Growth and Yield of Pisum sativum L. and Other Selected Vegetables

The challenge for agriculture is to address the need for adequate food provision and a sustainable future for crop productivity. The solution for increasing food production can probably only be obtained through the expansion of arable land by increasing irrigation practices, or by increasing harvestable yields on available land through the improvement of agricultural technology. With regard to the latter approach, field experiments were conducted to determine the effect of Maxiflo and Trykoside; liquid formulations of Azospirillum and Trichoderma based products, respectively, on vegetative growth and yield of Pisum sativum L., Brassica oleracea var. capitata, Lactuca sativa, Solanum tuberosum, Lycopersicon esculentum and Triticum aestivum. A randomized complete block design with six treatments (Control, Maxiflo, Trykoside, Maxiflo + Trykoside, ComCat® and Kelpak®) was applied in all cases. Maxiflo and Trykoside were applied either separately or together. Two commercially available natural biostimulants, ComCat® and Kelpak®, also served as positive controls. Results showed that peas were most responsive to treatment with the bio-products in terms of the increase in yield obtained compared to other crops. Growth of cabbage and lettuce were not affected, but a significant increase in head mass was observed. Combined treatment of Maxiflo and Trykoside increased fruit yield in tomatoes as well as tuber sizes in potatoes. However, in both crops, the total yield was not significantly affected, especially compared to the yield in peas. In wheat, root growth was stimulated significantly by treatment with Trykoside, but no significant yield increases were observed compared to peas.

Keywords: Peas, Maxiflo, Trykoside, ComCat®, Kelpak®, Vegetative growth, Yield components.