Undergrad Thesis – Crown MycoBoost™

Crown MycoBoost™ | Undergrad Thesis | Formulation | TDS | MSDS

Undergraduate Thesis Proposal

Title: Effect of Crown MycoBoost™ on Soil Microbial Activity and Growth Performance of High-Value Crops

1. Introduction / Background

Soil health and microbial diversity are critical for sustainable agriculture and high-value crops such as Agarwood, perfumery plants, fruit trees, and specialty vegetables. Beneficial fungi and microbes improve nutrient cycling, enhance root systems, and increase plant resilience to stress.

Crown MycoBoost™, developed by Crown Organic Fertilizers Inc., is a biofertilizer designed to stimulate fungal and microbial activity in soil, improve nutrient availability, and promote plant growth. Its formulation combines beneficial fungi, bacterial probiotics, enzymes, and organic nutrients to create a synergistic effect on the rhizosphere, making it especially suitable for crops that require healthy root systems and strong pre-induction vigor.

While preliminary use shows promising results, systematic evaluation under controlled conditions is necessary to quantify its effectiveness in improving soil microbial diversity and plant growth.

2. Research Problem / Statement

There is limited empirical data on the effectiveness of Crown MycoBoost™ in enhancing soil fungal activity and overall plant growth performance. This study aims to answer:

  1. How does Crown MycoBoost™ affect soil microbial and fungal activity?
  2. What is its effect on plant growth parameters such as height, root development, and biomass?
  3. Does MycoBoost™ improve plant health and potential crop yield compared to conventional fertilization methods?

3. Objectives

General Objective:

To evaluate the effects of Crown MycoBoost™ on soil health, microbial activity, and growth performance of selected high-value crops.

Specific Objectives:

  1. To assess changes in soil microbial and fungal populations after MycoBoost™ application.
  2. To measure plant growth parameters including height, leaf area, stem diameter, root length, and biomass.
  3. To compare crop yield or quality between MycoBoost™-treated plants and control groups.
  4. To examine the overall health and stress tolerance of plants treated with MycoBoost™.

4. Hypothesis

Null Hypothesis (H₀): Crown MycoBoost™ does not significantly affect soil microbial activity, plant growth, or crop yield compared to conventional fertilization.
Alternative Hypothesis (H₁): Crown MycoBoost™ significantly enhances soil microbial activity, plant growth, and crop yield compared to conventional fertilization.

5. Scope and Delimitation

  • Crop Selection: Focus on Agarwood seedlings, perfumery crops, or fruit trees.
  • Study Duration: 3–6 months for vegetative growth; yield assessment where applicable.
  • Parameters: Soil microbial/fungal activity, plant growth parameters, crop yield, and plant health indicators.
  • Limitations: Environmental factors (temperature, rainfall, humidity) may influence outcomes; study may be limited to nursery or small field plots.

6. Significance of the Study

  • For Farmers: Provides insights into sustainable biofertilizer use to improve soil health and crop performance.
  • For Academia: Adds to the understanding of soil-microbe-plant interactions in high-value crops.
  • For Crown Organic Fertilizers Inc.: Provides empirical data to support the effectiveness and adoption of MycoBoost™ as a commercial biofertilizer.

7. Methodology

7.1 Experimental Design

  • Design Type: Completely Randomized Design (CRD) or Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD)
  • Treatments:
    1. Control (no fertilizer)
    2. Conventional chemical fertilizer
    3. Crown MycoBoost™ at recommended dosage
  • Replications: Minimum of 3 per treatment

7.2 Data Collection

  • Soil Analysis: Microbial and fungal counts, total microbial activity, soil nutrient analysis (N, P, K, organic carbon)
  • Plant Growth Parameters: Height, leaf area, root length, stem diameter, biomass
  • Crop Yield / Quality: Biomass or product yield, root and shoot vigor

7.3 Data Analysis

  • Statistical analysis using ANOVA to determine significant differences between treatments
  • Post-hoc tests (Tukey’s HSD) for multiple comparisons
  • Significance level: p < 0.05

8. Expected Outcomes

  • Crown MycoBoost™ is expected to enhance soil microbial and fungal activity, improving nutrient cycling and rhizosphere health.
  • Plants treated with MycoBoost™ will show improved root development, vegetative growth, and stress resilience.
  • Crop yield and quality are anticipated to increase compared to control and conventional fertilization treatments.

9. References (Sample)

  1. Bashan, Y., de-Bashan, L. E., Prabhu, S. R., & Hernandez, J. P. (2014). Advances in plant growth-promoting bacterial and fungal inoculants. Plant and Soil, 378, 1–33.
  2. Maheshwari, D. K., & Saraf, M. (2017). Biofertilizers and sustainable agriculture. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, 180(2), 219–232.
  3. Crown Organic Fertilizers Inc. (2025). Crown MycoBoost™ Technical Data Sheet.