In order to test the heat stress tolerance effects of Dora KelpReal powder(Seaweed Extract Powder).
Materials and Methods
2.1 Test materials
Pepper seed, the biostimulant is KelpRealTM powder, an enzymatic craft seaweed product, which was provided by Suzhou Dora Agritech Co., Ltd.
2.2 Test method
The experiment was conducted in the openfield, Hongqiao Village, Changshu, Suzhou, China. A total of 2 treatment groups were set up in the experiment. 6 plants were set in each group.
Two sets of repetitions.
Group A: Control group in drought
Group B: KelpRealTM treated group in drought ( 800x dilution, apply 3 times at 14 days interval)
Transplant the pepper:
Group A: Control group only water
Group B: Apply Dora KelpRealTM after transplanting.
Heat & Drought stress: The global El Niño phenomenon has caused the climate to become very abnormal. The summer temperature in China has increased compared with last year, with the highest temperature reaching 39 ℃, resulting in dry soil and high temperature burns on plants. Therefore, this experiment uses high temperature conditions to test the ability of KelpRealTM to help peppers resist high temperature and drought stresses.
2.3 Statistical analysis
Excel & Spass were used for data statistical analysis.
Test Data Collection
3.1 Production & Fertilizer Record
3.2.1 Plant Survival Rate
3.2.2 Pepper Plant Growth Record 1
Item | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Average | |
A | Plant height (cm) | 11.5 | 11.8 | 10.8 | 12.3 | 11.2 | 11.5 | 11.5 |
Stem thickness(mm) | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4.2 | |
Leaf width(cm) | 2.5 | 2.6 | 2.5 | 2.8 | 2.7 | 2.8 | 2.65 | |
Leaf numbers | 18 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 22 | 21.8 | |
B | Plant height(cm) | 16.8 | 17.5 | 17.3 | 17.8 | 17.2 | 17.6 | 17.4 |
Stem thickness(mm) | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6.3 | |
Leaf width(cm) | 2.8 | 3.0 | 3.2 | 3.1 | 3.2 | 3.1 | 3.1 | |
Leaf numbers | 19 | 19 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 23.5 |
3.2.3 Pepper Plant Growth Record 2
Item | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Average | |
A | Plant height (cm) | 17.6 | 16.9 | 17.8 | 18.5 | 17.5 | 17.4 | 17.6 |
Stem thickness(mm) | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 6.2 | |
Leaf width(cm) | 3.5 | 3.6 | 3.8 | 3.5 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 3.6 | |
Leaf numbers | 22 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 24.2 | |
B | Plant height(cm) | 24.3 | 24.8 | 20.4 | 20.6 | 21.6 | 21.8 | 22.25 |
Stem thickness(mm) | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8.3 | |
Leaf width(cm) | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.5 | |
Leaf numbers | 28 | 31 | 29 | 30 | 32 | 33 | 30.5 |
3.2.4 Sun Burned Plants
Item | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Average | |
A | Affected leaves rate % | 10 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 15 | 7.8 |
Affected fruits rate % | 20 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 8.3 | |
B | Affected leaves rate % | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Affected fruits rate % | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Data Analysis
4.1 Effects of KelpReal on pepper growth in drought stress
It can be seen from Figure group 1 that:
(1) Plant height: In two measurements, the treated group has more vigor, the plants in treatment grows faster than that in CK group, 50% faster in the early stage of growth and 22% faster in the later growth stage.
(2) Stem thickness: In two measurements, the plants’ stem in treated group is 30~50% thicker than that in CK group.
(3) Leaf width: In leaf width, the treated group’s leaves are 16-25% wider than CK group.
(4) Leaf numbers: The treated group has more leaves than CK group.
4.2 Effects of Kelpreal on pepper sunburn resistances
4.3 Effects of KelpReal on pepper harvest
Harvest. 1 | Fruit size(cm) | Fruit weight (g) | Harvest. 2 | Fruit size(cm) | Fruit weight (g) |
A | 4.4 | 346 | A | 5.5 | 747 |
B | 5.75 | 565 | B | 6.3 | 1161 |
1. Fruit size: In the two harvest times, the treated fruits are 15-30% bigger than the CK group.
2. Total fruit weight: In fruit weight, the treated group is 55-63% heavier than the CK group.
4.4 Effects of KelpReal on fruit distribution
Group A CK | Group B Treatment | ||||
1-4cm | 7 | 1-4cm | 4 | ||
4-4.5cm | 8 | 4-4.5cm | 7 | ||
4.5-6cm | 6 | 4.5-6cm | 5 | ||
6-6.5cm | 0 | 6-6.5cm | 4 | ||
In treated group, 45% of the fruits reached this standard of a diameter of 4.5 cm or more, while only 28.6% in the CK group meet this standard.
Trial Results
1. Dora KelpReal can help pepper plants build root and leaf systems after transplanting, even in hot and dry conditions.
2. The higher data in the treated group (plant height, stem thickness, leaf width and leaf numbers) shows the good growth promotion effect in hotness stress.
3. The photos and data show that the application of KelpRealTM can help plants defend sunburned diseases on leaves and fruits, some plants in CK group stops growing, the plants in treated group grow stably.
4. The application of KelpReal can make fruits relatively plump in hot and dry environments, the size and weight of fruits are also improved.
In summary, Dora KelpReal is evident in helping pepper plants defend heat stress, it helps plants build their root and leaf system quickly after transplanting, maintaining healthy and stable growth in hot weather, the leaves are vigorous and not wilted, and the plant will not stop growing, good plants growth conditions make fruits plumped, bear bigger fruits.
Using the KelpReal to help crops defend heat and drought stress is a good option, (800x dilution, apply 3 times at 14 days interval) bringing a worry-free planting experience. The fruit quality can be improved to a new level with professional management.