Effect of Organic Amendments and Biostimulants on Zucchini Yield and Fruit Quality Under Alkaline Conditions

Samira Islas-Valdez, Reagan Sproull, Ty Sumners and Nicole Wagner ()
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Samira Islas-Valdez: Department of Agricultural Sciences, Texas State University, 601 University Dr, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
Reagan Sproull: Department of Agricultural Sciences, Texas State University, 601 University Dr, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
Ty Sumners: Department of Agricultural Sciences, Texas State University, 601 University Dr, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
Nicole Wagner: Department of Agricultural Sciences, Texas State University, 601 University Dr, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 19, 1-17

Abstract: Soil amendments can enhance soil and plant health; however, limited research has addressed their effects on soil health and crop productivity in alkaline soil. This study investigated the effects of various soil amendments and biostimulants by the Haney Soil Health Test, plant sap analysis, and Cucurbita pepo cv. ‘Dunja’ yield and quality. Treatments included unamended soil (T1) and applications of Humisoil® (T2), Humisoil with biochar (T3), wood vinegar (T4), Ensoil algae TM (T5), and Humisoil with biochar and basaltic rock dust (T6). Compared to T1, T6, T5, T2, and T3 increased yield by 107%, 87%, 86%, and 52%, respectively. Regarding total fruit number per plant, T2, T6, and T5 outperformed T1 by 42%, 37%, and 37%, respectively. Additionally, T6 decreased Na concentration by 59% in the sap of young leaves and 50% in old leaves compared to T1. Compared to T1, T2 also reduced Na concentration in the sap of old leaves by 63%. For Cl, decreases of 30%, 16%, and 24% in old leaves were observed in T2, T4, and T6 treatments, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of biostimulants and soil amendments to improve zucchini yield and quality while improving soil health in alkaline soils.

Keywords: zucchini yield; plant sap analysis; Humisoil; Ensoil algae; biochar; basalt rock dust; wood vinegar; soil amendments; alkaline soil; soil health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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