Exploring the Synergistic Effects of Biostimulant and Hydrogel Combinations on Brinjal Growth: An Assessment of Growth Parameters

This study at Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, evaluates the combined effects of hydrogel and Arka Vegetable biostimulants on brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) production. Brinjal's high water and nutrient needs make it sensitive to water scarcity and seasonal variations. Hydrogel enhances soil moisture retention, reducing irrigation needs, while Arka Vegetable biostimulants improve plant growth and stress tolerance. Using both together aims to optimize water management and plant health, addressing key challenges in brinjal cultivation.

In the study, the hydrogel was applied during the sowing stage, while Arka Vegetable Special was sprayed twice, with a 15-day interval after transplanting. The treatment designated as V₂H₂ (5 g/L+1.5 kg/acre) was utilized, where ‘V’ represents concentration in grams per liter and ’H’ denotes application rate in kilograms per acre. This treatment is aimed at optimizing vegetative growth. Various levels of Arka Vegetable Special and hydrogel application were tested to observe their effects on growth characteristics.

The study's findings revealed the effectiveness of the V₂H₂ treatment in enhancing vegetative growth. Application of Arka Vegetable Special and hydrogel at different levels significantly improved all the studied growth characteristics. This suggests the potential of integrating biostimulants and Hydrogel practices to optimize brinjal production, offering a sustainable solution to meet year-round vegetable demand and mitigate water scarcity challenges in agricultural systems.