Seed of Cucumis sativus and Pelargonium ×hortorum were imbibed for 24 hours in solutions containing 0 (deionized water), 2500, 5000, 10,000, and 20,000 ppm humic acid. Additional treatments included seed which were imbibed in nutrient solutions corresponding to the nutrient content of each humic acid solution as well as an untreated dry control. Percent germination was reduced for geranium seed imbibed in 20,000 ppm humic acid and for cucumber seed imbibed in either 20,000 ppm humic acid or the corresponding nutrient control. Root fresh weights for untreated and water imbibed geranium seed were 0.05 g. Humic acid treatment increased root fresh weights to a maximum of 0.14 g at 5000 and 10,000 ppm. Shoot fresh weights for geranium were 0.12 and 0.10 g for untreated and water imbibed seed, respectively. Humic acid treatment increased shoot fresh weight to a maximum of 0.18 at 2500 ppm. Root fresh weights for cucumber were 0.16 and 0.18 g for untreated and water imbibed seeds, respectively. Humic acid treatment increased root fresh weight to a maximum of 0.33 g at 10,000 ppm. Shoot fresh weights for cucumber were 0.31 and 0.38 g for untreated and water imbibed seed, respectively. Humic acid treatment increased shoot fresh weight to a maximum of 0.43 at 10,000 ppm.
Improving fenugreek plants growth and productivity via humic acid treatment