Wood Vinegar, Humic Acid, and Seaweed Extracts Dramatically Boost Mango Yields

Introduction

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is a widely cultivated tropical fruit crop, but its yield and fruit quality are often hampered by soil degradation and nutrient deficiencies. The overuse of chemical fertilizers has led to environmental concerns such as soil deterioration and reduced microbial diversity. As an alternative, sustainable biostimulants, including wood vinegar (WV), humic acid (HA), and seaweed extract (SW), are being explored to enhance mango tree nutrition, fruit yield, and overall quality.

Experimental Design and Application

A field trial was conducted over the 2023 and 2024 seasons on Ewais mango trees budded onto Sukkary rootstock. The study evaluated the effects of individual and combined applications of WV, SW, and HA on mango productivity.

Key Findings

Nutritional Status

The application of WV, SW, and HA significantly improved leaf mineral content. The combined application of all three biostimulants yielded the highest concentrations of nitrogen (2.23%), phosphorus (0.40%), and potassium (1.13%). Leaf chlorophyll content was enhanced by up to 107.7% compared to the control, contributing to improved photosynthesis and plant vigor.

Yield Improvement

All biostimulant treatments led to increased mango yield, with the HA + SW + WV combination showing the highest improvement. Trees treated with this combination produced 71.79 kg/tree in 2024, more than double the control yield of 32.35 kg/tree. The second highest yield increase was observed in the HA + SW treatment, which resulted in 65.72 kg/tree, followed by the SW + WV treatment, yielding 62.18 kg/tree.

Fruit Quality Enhancements

• Fruit length and width increased significantly, reaching 12.38 cm and 8.59 cm respectively.
• Total soluble solids (TSS) increased by 21.9%.
• Total sugars increased by 40%.
• Acidity decreased by 64.3%, improving fruit sweetness.
• Vitamin C content increased by 42.4%.

Implications

The study confirms that combining wood vinegar, humic acid, and seaweed extract is an effective strategy for improving mango yield and quality. The HA + SW + WV treatment at 2 L/ha each proved most beneficial, enhancing leaf nutrition, chlorophyll content, fruit size, sweetness, and overall yield. This sustainable approach offers a viable alternative to chemical fertilizers, supporting eco-friendly mango production.

Article based on: Enhancing Mango Productivity with Wood Vinegar, Humic Acid, and Seaweed Extract Applications as an Environmentally Friendly Strategy