Effects of different levels of humic acid on seedling growth and macro and micronutrient contents of tomato and eggplant

Abstract

As opposed to direct sowing, production of seedlings of vegetable crops for transplanting is commonly practiced by vegetable growers. This study was undertaken to determine the effects of humic acid on the growth and the macro and micro nutrients contents in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) and eggplant (Solanum melongena var. esculentum) seedlings under greenhouse conditions. Different levels of humic acid (50, 100, 150, 200 ml l^-1) were applied to growing media (peat) after transplanting of examined seedlings of the species every ten days by the time of planting. The highest growth rate for leaf stem and root growth were obtained at 50 and 100 ml l^-1 HA and 50, 100, 150 ml l^-1 HA for tomato and eggplant seedlings., respectively as compared to the control. The highest content of macro and micronu trient contents were obtained at 100 ml l^-1 HA and 200 ml l^-1 HA for tomato and egg plant seedlings, respectively as compared to the control.