The Beneficial Effects of Oxidative Hydrothermal Dissolution Processed Cow Manure as a Biostimulant to Improve Nutrient Uptake, Stress Resistance, and Tomato Crop Quality
Session Number
ENVR 04
Advisor(s)
Scott D. Hamilton-Brehm, Ph.D, Southern Illinois University, Lassandra Walker, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
Discipline
Environmental Science
Start Date
17-4-2025 10:45 AM
End Date
17-4-2025 11:00 AM
Abstract
Climate change threatens the security of the agricultural industry, by reducing worldwide yields and requiring more resources to fight drought and disease. A novel technology, oxidative hydrothermal dissolution (OHD), is a process that can convert water-insoluble waste biomass into water-soluble low molecular weight molecules that act as a biostimulant. Biostimulants are an emerging alternative to overused agrochemical fertilizers and have been proven to improve crop quality. Drought, high temperatures, wind erosion/desiccation, and soil fertility are all factors that influence production which are effects of climate change. Biostimulants can be a great industrial asset to securing the world’s food productivity. In this study, I use tomato plants Solanum lycopersicum var. Cerasiforme, to test different environmental stressors that affect plant health and productivity. One test group will only receive water, while another group will receive a treatment of OHD biostimulant. Conditions of the study will be poor soil, heat resistance, and drought. The plant's health will be monitored by measuring height. Plants receiving a biostimulant treatment should result in a healthier plant as compared to their water counterparts
The Beneficial Effects of Oxidative Hydrothermal Dissolution Processed Cow Manure as a Biostimulant to Improve Nutrient Uptake, Stress Resistance, and Tomato Crop Quality
Climate change threatens the security of the agricultural industry, by reducing worldwide yields and requiring more resources to fight drought and disease. A novel technology, oxidative hydrothermal dissolution (OHD), is a process that can convert water-insoluble waste biomass into water-soluble low molecular weight molecules that act as a biostimulant. Biostimulants are an emerging alternative to overused agrochemical fertilizers and have been proven to improve crop quality. Drought, high temperatures, wind erosion/desiccation, and soil fertility are all factors that influence production which are effects of climate change. Biostimulants can be a great industrial asset to securing the world’s food productivity. In this study, I use tomato plants Solanum lycopersicum var. Cerasiforme, to test different environmental stressors that affect plant health and productivity. One test group will only receive water, while another group will receive a treatment of OHD biostimulant. Conditions of the study will be poor soil, heat resistance, and drought. The plant's health will be monitored by measuring height. Plants receiving a biostimulant treatment should result in a healthier plant as compared to their water counterparts