Effect of a root growth promoter on selected crops grown in India

With alleged positive role in cell division, differentiation and root growth, a nano-formulated indole derivative SomRE was evaluated on six crops (rice, sun flower, okra, green gram, black gram and amaranthus), under trial conditions. The crop growth and wellbeing (phytological, physicochemical, microbiological) factors of 0.1 and 1.0 ppm SomRE treated seeds were monitored. Studies revealed positive relative effect on root length and shoot height at 0.1 ppm > 1.0 ppm > control across all crops. The yields were respectively, rice: 5100.00, 6833.36 and 6510.70; black gram: 530, 600 and 565; sunflower: 1390, 1700 and 1620; okra: 8760, 9150 and 8900; and amaranthus: 14,666, 18,533 and 16,666 kg/ha in control, 0.1 and 1.0 ppm SomRE treatments respectively, during the trial. SomRE seed treatment at 0.1 ppm exhibited the best effect on the test crops. Better performance at 0.1 ppm validated the understanding that growth promoters work better at low concentrations. Before recommending it for field applications, evaluating the residual (toxicity) effect of SomRE on the farmed soil through long-term studies is recommended.