Pyroligneous Acid Effects on Seed Germination, Plant Growth, Female/Male Sex Ratio, and Yield of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Abstract

Pyroligneous acid has shown great promise as a biostimulant for many agronomic crops by stimulating seed germination, plant growth, and yield. However, most of the studies did not determine effect of different modes of application on plant growth and yield performance. This study focused on applying PA at differing rates (0%, 2.5%, 5%, and 10%), durations (0, 3, 6, 9, 12 hours), and frequencies (never repeated, biweekly, and monthly) to evaluate its impact on germination, early seedling root growth, plant growth, sex ratio, and yield of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). Rate and soaking time significantly (P < 0.05) improved germination and root growth. Seeds soaked in lower concentrations (i.e. 2.5% and 5%) for longer soaking periods (i.e. 9 and 12 hours) showed the greatest germination and early root growth response compared to control treated seeds and seeds soaked in 10% PA. Monthly applications of 2.5% and 5% PA led to significantly (P < 0.05) highest female/male flower ratios compared to control treatments which led to significantly (P < 0.05) improved fruit setting and the highest calculated yield values. Improving growth and yield parameters in cucumber helps support the case that pyroligneous acid can serve as a useful product in the field of agriculture from both an economic and global population perspective.