Arginine as a Biostimulant for Enhancing Growth and Establishment of Spinach Transplants

Sammanfattning

Transplantation shock can severely reduce plant yield by damaging roots and impairing water and nutrient uptake, making plants more vulnerable to stress and infections. This study investigates whether arginine, in the form of arGrow Granules, can act as a biostimulant to reduce transplantation shock and promote spinach seedling growth. Spinach seedlings were transplanted into humus-rich muddy moraine soil, with arGrow Granules placed under the roots of the biostimulant group. Stress symptoms (bolting, leaf discoloration, wilting, and death), leaf size, leaf count, plant height, and biomass (leaf and root) were measured. The biostimulant group that received arginine at transplantation exhibited more stress symptoms and had smaller leaves, height, and biomass compared to the control group. Therefore, this study does not support arginine as a biostimulant to reduce transplantation shock in spinach. Future studies could explore different soils, dosages, and application methods for non-forestry applications.