Wood vinegar foliar application for sustainable crop production

Overview

Wood vinegar, a plant-derived corroborant recently approved for both conventional and organic farming, is being evaluated as a foliar treatment to improve crop establishment, growth, and yield. The research investigates whether different concentrations of wood vinegar can produce differential effects on tomato crops and whether its application can reduce dependence on conventional fertilizers. By enhancing chlorophyll content and leaf glossiness, wood vinegar may boost photosynthesis and the synthesis of sugars and amino acids, leading to healthier plants and improved fruit quality. This approach supports sustainable agriculture by offering a natural input compatible with organic production systems.

Technical specifications

Research approach:

• Field-based experimental design on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) crops arranged in a completely randomized layout with four replications
• Five experimental treatments: 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, and 2% wood vinegar concentrations, plus a distilled water control
• Biweekly foliar application of all treatments throughout the growing season
• Plant growth parameters measured from 30 days after transplanting through fruit harvesting
• Photosynthetic characteristics assessed on fully expanded leaves, including chlorophyll content, porometer parameters, and NDVI at regular 15-day intervals
• Fruit quality assessment on representative ripe fruits following recognized procedures
• Marketable tomato fruit yield measured at harvest

Key features:

• Natural, plant-derived product compatible with organic farming standards
• Potential to reduce fertilizer application requirements
• Enhances chlorophyll content and leaf appearance to improve photosynthetic efficiency
• Supports synthesis of sugars and amino acids for improved crop quality

Technology readiness level

The solution is at an active field validation stage. Initial experimental procedures have been established, and future validation plans are defined to confirm dosage-dependent effects on crop performance and fruit quality. The research team possesses the laboratory tools needed to assess plant physiological status and evaluate the benefits of wood vinegar application. Further field trials in representative tomato-growing locations will provide data on yield outcomes and quality parameters to support broader agricultural adoption.