Assessing the potential of mosquito larval rearing water for enhanced tomato seedling establishment

Vigorous seedlings guarantee satisfactory production in the forward stages of the vegetation period. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of bio-based rearing water of two mosquito species (Culiseta sp. and Culex sp.) on tomato germination, emergence, and seedling quality. For this purpose, two distinct larval-rearing waters (LRW)(with diverse larval densities), and fry food-applied water were used as bio-priming agents. The findings revealed that using bio-based rearing water could enhance the vigor of tomato seeds. All Culex sp. derived LRWs had a shorter mean germination time than the control group. One Culex sp. derived larval rearing water treatment resulted in the shortest mean germination time (4.35 days), whereas one Culiseta sp. derived larval rearing water treatment resulted in the longest (6.20 days). There were no statistically significant differences in stem length but significant differences in plant length. Plant length was shorter in larval rearing water and fry food-applied water than in the control. The stem diameters of plants primed with larval rearing water were generally wider than the control. According to analyses of the plant length, stem length, and stem diameter measurements, the larval rearing water and fry food-applied water treatments may have had a reductive influence on plant length but provided significant support for thicker seedlings, which are more beneficial for seedlings. Other germination and growth characteristics (vigor index of germination, emergence percentage, mean time of emergence, vigor index of emergence, plant length, stem length, leaf width, leaf length, stem fresh weight, stem dry weight, root dry weight) did not show significant variation among treatments. Using larval rearing water as a bio-priming agent in agriculture offers several benefits. Larval rearing water enhances seed germination and vigor due to its possibly rich nutrient content and bioactive compounds, promoting faster and more uniform germination. It is an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to chemical treatments, supporting sustainable agricultural practices.