SoilBoost EA banana field trial (FPA EUP No. 3227)
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Study at a glance
Study: Bioefficacy terminal report, FPA Experimental Use Permit (EUP) No. 3227.
Registrant: Kudzu Seeds Trading, Davao City (the Philippines-based sister company of Chemiseed Sdn. Bhd.).
Researcher: Marianita N. Eroy, FPA-Accredited Fertilizer Researcher (PNT #179), PCA-Davao Research Center.
Location and period: Ula, Tugbok, Davao City, Philippines; November 2018 to February 2019.
Design: randomised complete block design, 6 treatments, 3 replications, 12 seedlings per treatment; conducted under Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).
Background
SoilBoost EA is a humic-acid-rich soil conditioner. To document its effect under FPA supervision, it was evaluated on tissue-cultured Lacatan banana seedlings in a trial run for Philippine product registration under the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA). The study measured plant growth, leaf nutrient content and soil properties three months after application.
Treatments
The trial compared an unfertilised control, a full inorganic-fertiliser programme, three combinations of fertiliser plus SoilBoost EA at rising rates, and SoilBoost EA used on its own.
| Code | Treatment |
|---|---|
| T1 | Unfertilised control |
| T2 | 100% recommended rate (RR) of inorganic fertilisers |
| T3 | T2 plus 50% RR SoilBoost EA (20 g/seedling) |
| T4 | T2 plus 100% RR SoilBoost EA (40 g/seedling) |
| T5 | T2 plus 150% RR SoilBoost EA (60 g/seedling) |
| T6 | 100% RR SoilBoost EA alone (40 g/seedling) |
Growth results (3 months after application)
All differences below were statistically significant (p < 0.01). The best combination shown is T4 (full fertiliser plus SoilBoost EA at 100% rate).
| Growth measure | Unfertilised control (T1) | SoilBoost EA alone (T6) | Full fertiliser + SoilBoost EA (T4) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Girth size (cm) | 10.5 | 13.6 | 21.5 |
| Plant height (cm) | 57.9 | 86.6 | 131.0 |
| Living fronds (no.) | 9.3 | 10.7 | 12.4 |
| Leaves produced (no.) | 9.1 | 10.8 | 13.1 |
Soil and nutrition findings
- Nutrient uptake: leaf potassium was higher with SoilBoost EA alone (3.18%) than the control (2.63%); nitrogen also improved over the deficient control.
- Soil fertility: SoilBoost EA alone raised soil organic matter, available phosphorus and exchangeable potassium above the unfertilised control, and lifted soil pH (5.8 versus 5.1 in the control).
- Water-holding capacity: soil treated with SoilBoost EA held more water (88.7% at the full rate versus 80.0% in the control) and dried out more slowly.
What this trial shows, and what it does not
Shows: in this trial, SoilBoost EA improved early vegetative growth, nutrient uptake and soil quality on banana seedlings, and worked best alongside a balanced fertiliser programme.
Does not show: this trial does not support any disease or pest claim, and it does not show that SoilBoost EA replaces fertiliser or out-yields a full fertiliser programme on its own. It measured growth, nutrition and soil properties on banana seedlings only, on one site, over three months, using one batch of product; batch analysis varies, so results should not be read as a guaranteed response.
What the trial supports
- Evaluated in an FPA-supervised efficacy trial (EUP No. 3227) on Lacatan banana seedlings.
- In that trial, soil organic matter, available phosphorus and potassium, soil pH, and water-holding capacity were higher than in the unfertilised control.
- Stronger early vegetative growth and better nutrient uptake than the control.
- Best results when used alongside a balanced fertiliser programme; SoilBoost EA is a soil conditioner, not a fertiliser replacement.
- SoilBoost EA is a mined leonardite mineral product.
Related: SoilBoost EA soil conditioner | Evidence hub | Soil enhancer vs fertiliser
Cite as: Eroy, M. N. (2019). Bioefficacy terminal report: SoilBoost EA on tissue-cultured Lacatan banana, FPA Experimental Use Permit No. 3227. PCA-Davao Research Center, for Kudzu Seeds Trading. Unpublished registration report; summary published by Chemiseed Sdn. Bhd. Full report available on request. Last reviewed August 2026.