As part of field trials conducted in Ontario, Proventus Bioscience evaluated the effect of Paenibacillus polymyxa, a plant growth-promoting bacterium, on tomato production under real farming conditions.
Objective: Assess whether P. polymyxa could reduce transplant stress and stimulate tomato growth when seedlings are transferred from greenhouse to field.
Key results:
- At the University of Western Ontario farm, combined transplant and foliar treatments increased yields by 13% compared to control plots (86.9 t/ha vs 77.1 t/ha).
- At the Ecologistics farm, treated plants produced 1.5 t/ha more than untreated controls.
- No negative effects on fruit quality (Brix index or solids) were observed across treatments.
- Yield increases could translate into an estimated $1,780 additional revenue per hectare for growers under Ontario standards.
This study is among the first to document field-level impacts of P. polymyxa on tomatoes, showing its potential to enhance crop resilience and profitability.
A special thank you to A&L Biologicals for their collaboration and scientific rigor throughout these trials.
It’s exciting to see microbial innovations move from the lab to the field, supporting growers with practical, nature-based solutions.