Bio-Based Solutions for Agriculture: Foliar Application of Wood Distillate Alone and in Combination with Other Plant-Derived Corroborants Results in Different Effects on Lettuce (Lactuca Sativa L.)

Abstract

Bio-stimulants are showing growing success and are gradually replacing synthetic fertilizers in agriculture. Wood distillate (WD), also known as wood vinegar or pyroligneous acid, is a by-product of biomass pyrolysis and is increasingly used as a bio-stimulant for crop production. This study investigated whether weekly foliar applications of 0.25% and 0.50% WD have a differential effect on the chlorophyll and sugar content as well as biomass production in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Moreover, the additional beneficial effect from the addition of corroborants of plant origin such as 3% soy lecithin and 5% flavonoid-rich wood glycolic extract to WD (BF) was investigated. Moreover, the possible toxicological concern from some potentially toxic elements (PTEs), namely Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn, which may be abundant in WD was verified. After four weeks, we found that 0.25% WD not only increases lettuce biomass, which has an economic value, but also has beneficial effects on other qualitative parameters such as sugars and total sweetness. On the other hand, the use of 0.5% WD decreased the content of soluble sugars, suggesting a hormetic-type effect. We did not find evidence of further beneficial effects from the addition to WD of plant-derived corroborants, nor of any enrichment in the content of the investigated PTEs.

Foliar application of wood distillate boosts plant yield and nutritional parameters of chickpea

“…In our study, the remarkable increase in starch (+45.9%) in WD‐treated plants suggests a very beneficial effect of WD on chickpea. This result is consistent with the doubled starch content found in 0.25% and 0.50% WD‐treated lettuce plants (Fedeli et al, 2022). Similarly, also Jee and Cho (2005) reported that WD at concentrations within 0.5% increased the starch content in the roots of the orchid Neofinetia falcata Thunb.…”

“…Although not statistically significant, plant biomass also increased (+37%) following the application of 0.25% WD. This trend is consistent with the results reported in the literature for several crop plants: lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L.) +39% (Vannini et al, 2021), +49% (Fedeli et al, 2022), +42% (Mu et al, 2006), tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) +27% (Mungkunkamchao et al, 2013), rice ( Orzya sativa L.) +30% (Zulkarami et al, 2014).…”

“…lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) +39% (Vannini et al, 2021), +49% (Fedeli et al, 2022), +42% (Mu et al, 2006), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)…”

“…WD is a by‐product of bio‐energy production by pyrolysis of plant biomass (Grewal, Abbey, & Gunupuru, 2018) and is rich in numerous bioactive substances (i.e., polyphenols, alcohols, acids, esters) (Mu, Yu, Wu, & Wu, 2006; Zulkarami, Ashrafuzzaman, Husni, & Ismail, 2011). WD is used as a biostimulant in agriculture owing to its ability to enhance quality, size and weight of edible plant parts (Mungkunkamchao, Kesmala, Pimratch, Toomsan, & Jothityangkoon, 2013; Zulkarami et al, 2011), to increase plant biomass (Zulkarami et al, 2014; Fedeli, Vannini, Guarnieri, Monaci, & Loppi, 2022; Theerakulpisut, Kanawapee, & Panwong, 2016; Vannini, Moratelli, Monaci, & Loppi, 2021), and even to counteract the attack of plant pathogens (Mourant, Yang, Lu, & Roy, 2005; Ratanapisit, Apiraksakul, Rerngnarong, Chungsiriporn, & Bunyakarn, 2009). Furthermore, WD has recently been included in the list of products that can be used in organic farming in Italy (Italian Ministerial Decree 6793, 2018).…”

Foliar Application of Wood Distillate Alleviates Ozone-Induced Damage in Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)

“…WD is rich in antioxidants, such as polyphenols [15,17,37], and is effectively used to increase both the chlorophyll content and biomass of crop plants, as found in some recent studies [16,[38][39][40][41]. Although the mechanisms behind its effectiveness are still in need of investigation, it has been suggested that this stimulant effect on plant productivity may be due to the action of antioxidant molecules on cell division [16], in response to the activation of specific transcription genes, as previously observed by Tanase et al [42,43].…”