Effects of a Soil Fulvic Acid on the Growth and Nutrient Content of Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus) Plants

Written by: B. S. Rauthan and M. Schnitzer
Chemistry and Biology Research Institute, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Ont. K I A 0C6, Canada

Abstract
Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) plants were grown in Hoagland solution to which 20 to 2000 ppm of a soil fulvic acid (FA) were added. The addition of 100 to 300 ppm of FA produced highly significant increases in the growth and development of above and below ground plant parts, in the uptake of nutrient elements (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe and Zn), and in the formation of numbers of flowers per plant. Effects of adding 500 and more ppm of FA were less beneficial.
Read the entire article at http://www.springerlink.com/content/k182412422426241/

Fruit Yield and Quality of Watermelon as Affected by Hybrids and Humic Acid Application

Written by: S.R. Salman, S.D. Abou-hussein, A.M.R. Abdel-Mawgoud and M.A. El-Nemr
Department of Vegetable Research, National Research Center, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.

Abstract
Three hybrids of watermelon crop namely, sugar belle, Aswan and Giza1 were cultivated in the growing seasons 2003 and 2004 in new reclaimed lands. Humic acid treatments were applied through drip irrigation system in rates of 0 (control), 2, 4 and 6 L/feddan to study their effects on the fruit yield and quality.
Obtained data showed that Aswan hybrid was the highest in the early yield. On the other hand, the highest total yield was obtained by Sugar belle hybrid and the lowest by Aswan hybrid, but their marketable yields were not significantly different. Humic acid application up to 6 L/feddan increased total yield of all hybrids. N content in the leaves was significantly different among hybrids. The results of the regression analysis of N content in leaves to humic acid application were not significantly different. Contents and rates of P and K were significantly different in hybrids and to humic acid treatments. Fruit quality parameters were discussed in relation to total and marketable yields of the three hybrids.
Read the entire article at Fruit Yield and Quality of Watermelon as Affected by Hybrids and Humic Acid Application (sw).pdf

Humic Substances in Biological Agricultural Systems

Written by: Lawrence Mayhew

Read the article at: http://www.saviskyproturf.com/doc/Humicsubstances.pdf

Improvement of Carrot Stands with Plant Biostimulants and Fluid Drilling

Written by: Douglas C. Sanders, Jacqueline A. Ricotta, Laurie Hodges, Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University

Read the article at: http://hortsci.ashspublications.org/content/25/2/181.abstract?sid=770184b5-0034-4ada-9b65-c168d2a07acf

Increasing Productivity of Potato Plants (Solanum Tuberosum, L.) by using Potassium Fertilizer and Humic Acid Application (sw)

Written by: Asmaa R. Mahmoud, Magda M. Hafez, Vegetable Research Department, National Research Centre, Cairo (EGYPT)

Read the article at: http://www.ijar.lit.az/pdf/4/2010(2-14).pdf