Efficacy of seaweed extract granules and liquid fertilizer on growth and yield of brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) during the rabi season

The extracts of seaweeds are used in granules and liquid forms for promoting growth of plants and yield of crops. These extracts act as bio stimulants as they contain cytokinins, auxins, gibberellins and macro- and micro-nutrients. To determine the effectiveness of seaweed extract granules enriched with growth substances and essential trace minerals, as well as seaweed liquid containing 15 % seaweed extract, 5 % stabilisers and 80 % fillers, a field experiment was carried out on a sandy loam soil during the rabi 2022-2023 season. The seaweed application either in granule or liquid form over and above the recommended level of fertilizer to brinjal crop has improved the growth, yield attributes and fruit yield, the increase in these parameters was noticed with enhancement of seaweed extract application in both forms. The percent increase in brinjal fruit yield with application of 100 % recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) + seaweed extract granules @ 75 kg/ ha was 12 % (3.5 t/ha), 26 % (6.6 t/ha), 24 % (6.3 t/ha) and 135 % (18.6 t/ha) over 100 % RDF + seaweed extract granules @ 50 kg /ha, 100 % RDF + seaweed extract granules @ 25 kg/ha, 100 % RDF and control, respectively. The fruit yield recorded with 100 % RDF + seaweed liquid fertilizer 6 mL/l spraying done three times at maximum vegetative stage, flowering and fruiting was 20, 49 and 51 % over 100 % RDF + seaweed liquid fertilizer 4 mL /l, 100 % RDF + seaweed liquid fertilizer 2 mL/l and 100 % RDF, respectively.