Alginite is an organic-bituminous rock, rich in macro- and microelements. Due to its
unique chemical composition, alginite improves the soil, affects the growth and development
of plants, and increases yield and productivity. The purpose of our work was to study the effect
of alginite of Slovak origin on germination of tomato seeds, growth, and development of plants,
as well as to evaluate the biological activity of alginite against insect pests.
The research was carried out by standard methods in the laboratory and greenhouse
during 2020. Tomato seeds with low germination capacity (60.0 %) were treated by immersion
in alginite solutions of concentration 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01 and 0.1 %. Alginite solutions with
concentrations of 0.1–5.0 % were used for testing against insects.
The application of alginite solutions significantly increases the germination of tomato
seeds in laboratory conditions by 9.2–13.0 % (LSD0.05=8.82, p≤ 0.05). The highest seed
germination (81.3 %) was observed in the variant with the alginite concentration of 0.001 %,
the lowest (77.5 %) – in 0.1 % concentration. In addition, there was a significant increase in the
length of seedlings by 1.87 and 2.98 cm (LSD0.05=1.61, p≤0.05) in variants treated with 0.01 and
0.1 % alginite solutions, respectively. An increase in root length by 2.22, 3.54, and 4.51 cm was
observed in three variants of treatment with alginite solutions of 0.001, 0.01, and 0.1 %,
respectively (LSD0.05=1.55, p≤0.05). Thus, the alginite solutions lead to both a significant
stimulation of the germination of tomato seeds and to the growth of seedlings and roots.
In a greenhouse, the germination of pre-sowing treated seeds in all variants exceeded the
control by 8.3–33.2 %. However, a significant difference (LSD0.05=20.5, p≤0.05) was noted only
in the variant where the seeds were treated with 0.001 % alginite solution. Monitoring of plant
height showed that a month after the emergence of the first seedlings the average plant height
was significantly higher in the variant 0.001 % alginite solution and reached 11.41 cm
(LSD0.05=2.63, p≤0.05). The average plant height in the rest of the tested variants was at the
control level (8.21 cm). The yield in the variants treated with alginite solutions significantly
exceeded the control by 316.53–327.71 g per one tomato bush.
It was found that alginite solutions at a concentration of 0.1–1.0 % had low ovicidal (2.73–
13.19 %) and insecticidal (5.0–33.3 %) effects against insects belonging to different orders –
Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera), Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera) and Halyomorpha
halys (Hemiptera). Alginite solutions did not have contact insecticidal activity; the death of
insects was caused mainly by the consumption of treated feed. At the same time, a high
antifeedant effect was revealed from 45.0 to 85.0 % against adults and larvae of 2–3 instars of
L. decemlineata and larvae of 2–3 instars of G. mellonella. To conclude, the application of alginite
contributed to an increase in seed germination and plant productivity, and it did not have a
significant negative effect on the insect.