Precision Management of Bread Wheat Growth Using Humic-like Biostimulants from Lignin Waste
Keywords:
Precision Agriculture, Humic Preparations, Lignin Waste, Remote Sensing, Plant Growth RegulatorsAbstract
The increasing demand for sustainable agriculture necessitates precision management techniques that optimize plant growth and yield while minimizing environmental impact. A promising direction is the use of humic-like substances derived from industrial waste, such as lignin-containing pulp and paper mill waste. This study involved the development of a specialized reactor for the oxidative-hydrolytic transformation of lignin-containing waste ("KNAUF Petrobord") into humic-like growth regulators (designated KLGK). The physiological activity of the resulting preparations was assessed via biotests on bread wheat seeds (Triticum aestivum L. cv. 'Darya' and 'Zlata'). Field experiments on bread wheat were conducted, applying the preparations as foliar feeding. Crop status was monitored using operational systems combining ground truthing and remote sensing (Sentinel-2 satellite data, NDVI index). Laboratory tests identified an optimal activating concentration range for KLGK between 0.0025% and 0.00025%, accelerating seed germination by 20-30%. In field conditions, the application of KLGK on a background of NPK fertilizer resulted in a grain yield of 3.02 t ha–1, a 161% increase compared to the fertilizer-only background and a 207% increase over the control. The reference stimulant "Stimulife" yielded 2.55 t ha –1. Remote sensing effectively tracked crop development and spatial heterogeneity, confirming the visual impact of the treatments. The methodology of precise regulation of crop growth using real-time monitoring and foliar fertilization based on preparations derived from PPM waste has been successfully tested. The developed technology enables the recycling of any lignin – containing waste into highly effective plant growth regulators, demonstrating significant potential for enhancing agricultural productivity and environmental.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Andrey A. Komarov, Pavel A. Sukhanov , Yuri G. Zakharian, Tatyana P. Novikova; Arthur I. Novikov
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