Desarrollo foliar de albahaca morada (Ocimum tenuiflorum L.) bajo la influencia de sustratos y bioestimulantes en Puebloviejo, Los Ríos, Ecuador

This research evaluated the foliar development of purple basil (Ocimum tenuiflorumL.) under the influence of different substrates and biostimulants in Puebloviejo, Los Ríos province, Ecuador. A Completely Randomized Block Design (CRBD) was used, comprising six treatments, four replications, and a total of 192 plants. The methodology combined quantitative and qualitative approaches, measuring plant height, number of leaves, leaf length, and width, with statistical analysis using ANOVA to determine significant differencesamong treatments. Results showed that treatment T2 (Soil Substrate + Biostimulant 1) achieved the highest values in evaluated variables, averaging 24.50 cm in height, 13 leaves, and 9.75 cm in leaf length. In contrast, treatments without biostimulants exhibited the lowest values, highlighting the importance of biostimulants in plant growth stimulation. It was concluded that the combination of Soil Substrate with Ecklonia máxima-based biostimulants significantly enhances the foliar development of purple basil, promoting a more sustainable and efficient agricultural model. This study provides valuable data for optimizing horticultural crop production and its application in local agricultural development.