Water structuring device for the quality improvement of aromatic plants

Domenico Prisa

doi:10.30574/gscbps.2020.12.3.0270

Authors

Domenico Prisa CREA Research Centre for Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Via dei Fiori 8, 51012 Pescia, PT, Italy.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30574/gscbps.2020.12.3.0270

Keywords:

Structured water, Biostimulant, Liquid crystal, Microorganisms, Hydrophilic

Abstract

The paper presents the results of research aimed at improving the growth of aromatic plants and stimulating microbial communities in the rhizosphere of two test plants (Lavender and Rosemary), using a water structuring device (Alchewat). The experiments, started in November 2019, were conducted in the greenhouses of CREA-OF in Pescia (PT). The experimental groups were: i) group without structured water, irrigated with water and substrate previously fertilized; ii) group with structured water, irrigated with water and substrate previously fertilized. The test showed a significant improvement in the agronomic parameters analyzed in Lavender and Rosemary plants treated with structured water. In particular, all plants treated with structured water showed a significant increase in plant height, vegetative and roots weight, total flowers biomass and total microbial count. In addition, there was a significant reduction in Lavender of the number of plants dried in structured water treatment and a positive trend in Rosemary, but not significant. The results of this experiment are in accordance with literature and field observation data that report a beneficial effect of structured water on plant growth, health, quantity and quality of yields. Also very interesting is the increase in the substrate of the theses treated with structured water of the number of useful microorganisms, which are probably supporters of the improvement of plant growth. The presence of microorganisms in the substrate can also affect the biotic and abiotic stress resistance of plants. These aspects consequently become very interesting for the grower who can reduce the use of water and fertilizers and increase the quality of the plants by using alternative techniques.

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