The effect of a commercial biofilm fertilizer on seed germination and seedling vigor of Solanum lycopersicum and Capsicum annuum

Abstract

Seed vigor is an important determinant of successful plant establishment in the field which determines the crop performance and the final yield. This study investigated the effect of biopriming with a commercial biofilm biofertilizer (Biofilm-R) on seed germination and seedling vigor of two vegetable varieties, Solanum Lycopersicum (tomato) and Capsicum annuum (bell pepper). The seed germination parameters were determined using the Ragdoll method and growth performance was tested in the soil in a pot trial six weeks after sowing. The means of the control and the primed treatment of each parameter were compared using the T-Test (p≤0.05). Biopriming improved germination parameters of both varieties ranging from 6 - 78% in bell pepper and 133 - 171% in tomato. Seedling parameters too were enhanced by biopriming ranging from 53 - 402% in bell pepper and 35 – 285% in tomato. The results indicate that the Biofilm-R is a potential biopriming agent and it has the potential to continue to support plant growth of both varieties. However, further investigations under field conditions are needed.