SoilBoost EA banana field trial (FPA EUP No. 3227)
SoilBoost EA banana field trial (FPA EUP No. 3227)
Study at a glance
Study: Bioefficacy terminal report, FPA Experimental Use Permit (EUP) No. 3227.
Registrant: Kudzu Seeds Trading, Davao City (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: randomized 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 independent 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 unfertilized control, a full inorganic-fertilizer program, three combinations of fertilizer plus SoilBoost EA at rising rates, and SoilBoost EA used on its own.
| Code | Treatment |
|---|---|
| T1 | Unfertilized control |
| T2 | 100% recommended rate (RR) of inorganic fertilizers |
| 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 fertilizer plus SoilBoost EA at 100% rate).
| Growth measure | Unfertilized control (T1) | SoilBoost EA alone (T6) | Full fertilizer + 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 unfertilized 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: SoilBoost EA improves early vegetative growth, nutrient uptake and soil quality on banana, and works best alongside a balanced fertilizer program.
Does not show: this trial does not support any disease or pest claim, and it does not show that SoilBoost EA replaces fertilizer or out-yields a full fertilizer program on its own. It measured growth, nutrition and soil properties on banana seedlings only.
Verified claims
- Validated in an FPA-supervised efficacy trial (EUP No. 3227) on Lacatan banana.
- Improves soil organic matter, available phosphorus and potassium, soil pH, and water-holding capacity.
- Supports stronger early vegetative growth and better nutrient uptake.
- Best results when used alongside a balanced fertilizer program; SoilBoost EA is a soil conditioner, not a fertilizer replacement.
Related: SoilBoost EA soil conditioner | Evidence hub | Soil enhancer vs fertilizer
Cite as: Eroy, M. N. (2019). SoilBoost EA bioefficacy terminal report on Lacatan banana, FPA Experimental Use Permit No. 3227. PCA-Davao Research Center, for Kudzu Seeds Trading. Summary published by Chemiseed Sdn. Bhd. Full report available on request. Last reviewed June 2026.