Effect of humic based soil conditioner, effective microbes and fertiliser on growth and flowering of sunflower

Biological farming methods are becoming more widespread as many farmers are moving towards the application of composts, bio-fertilisers and other organic additives. To assess the impact of coal-based humus and effective microbes on growth of sunflower (Helianthus annus, ‘Dwarf Sunsation’), two week old seedlings were planted into 16 cm diameter pots containing a basic potting mix plus Ferbon®, a lignite based soil conditioner, at 0, 30, or 60 g per pot (equivalent to 0, 150 and 300 kg/Ha respectively). After planting, pots were placed on glasshouse benches arranged in a randomised block design with five replicates per treatment. Activated effective microbes (EM-1, sourced from Vital Resource Management Pty Ltd) were applied as a soil drench at 15 L/ha to half the pots after planting. Pots were fertilised at weekly intervals with liquid Hoaglands solution at either 100%, 50% or 0% concentration. Plants treated with EM displayed reduced leaf chlorophyll content compared with untreated plants. Un-fertilised plants had higher chlorophyll content than fertilised plants. Ferbon® had no effect on chlorophyll content except at week 7 where the highest rate showed the highest levels of chlorophyll. Treatment with EM increased number of nodes and stem height. Ferbon® had no effect on node number, but did increase stem height in week 7. The full rate of fertiliser resulted in increased stem height during the first 6 weeks of growth, but by week 7, the 50% fertiliser rate showed the same results as the full rate. Both EM and Ferbon application resulted in earlier flowering.