Abstract
The purpose of these experiments was to assess the efficacy of a novel nutrient stimulant in enhancing the growth of plants in the absence of fertilizer. Agricom is a natural mixture that works to increase the nitrogen fixation capabilities of the bacteria in the soil, thus aiding in the growth of the plants. Prior to working with the plants, the growth of the soil bacteria, in the presence of Agricom, was tested using respirometry. Agricom produced a significant positive effect on the overall growth rate of the soil bacteria that had been treated. Next, a series of four different groups of tomato plants were analyzed, two of which contained Agricom. Soil treated solely with water was used as the control group (Group 1). For this experiment, the plant growth was measured based on their dry mass weight, ash weight and their nitrate concentration. The tomatoes plants in Group 4 which contained Agricom and Water have shown the most growth as measured by dry weight and nitrate concentrations when compared to the other groups.
Faculty Sponsors
Joshua Loomis, Ph.D.
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-10-2015 1:00 PM
End Date
4-10-2015 5:30 PM
Agricom: A Soil Nutrient Additive and its Effect on Soil Microbial Growth and Tomato Plants
Alvin Sherman Library
The purpose of these experiments was to assess the efficacy of a novel nutrient stimulant in enhancing the growth of plants in the absence of fertilizer. Agricom is a natural mixture that works to increase the nitrogen fixation capabilities of the bacteria in the soil, thus aiding in the growth of the plants. Prior to working with the plants, the growth of the soil bacteria, in the presence of Agricom, was tested using respirometry. Agricom produced a significant positive effect on the overall growth rate of the soil bacteria that had been treated. Next, a series of four different groups of tomato plants were analyzed, two of which contained Agricom. Soil treated solely with water was used as the control group (Group 1). For this experiment, the plant growth was measured based on their dry mass weight, ash weight and their nitrate concentration. The tomatoes plants in Group 4 which contained Agricom and Water have shown the most growth as measured by dry weight and nitrate concentrations when compared to the other groups.
