Executive Summary
- The focus of this apple trial was fruit quality and enhanced soil health.
- During the second plant sap evaluation in December 2020, the two Humefert treatments Ampli Cal and AminoFix-3000™, increased the petiole sap Ca with 2.7% and the fruit sap Ca with 7.8%. The Humefert treatments increased the K and the S levels in the fruit with 22.4% and 10.7% respectively. This increase was also observed in the petiole sap. From a trace element point of view the Humefert treatments also increased the B, Fe and Mn levels in both the leaf petioles and fruit sap.
- During the third plant sap evaluation in January 2021, the Humefert treatments resulted in 25% more Ca in the leaf petioles and 20% more Ca in the fruit sap. The Humefert treatment once again increased the K levels, this time with 21.1% in the fruit sap.
- In the Brookside analysis of April 2021, the Humefert treatment had the higher soil health score due to higher soil respirations levels, more water extractable organic nitrogen, an optimum C:N ratio in the soil. In the same analysis, the estimated biological N was 36 kg/ha in the Humefert treatment, compared to 1 kg/ha in the control. There was a significant increase of Ca levels in the soil, as well as a more favourable Ca:Mg ratio and higher Ca cation percentage.
- Although little differences were observed in the brix and electrical conductivity in the fruit, there were a significant increase in Ca, S and K levels in the fruit sap in the Humefert treatment. This should aid fruit quality via better cell wall integrity, crop tolerance to osmotic stress, enhanced shelf life, production of bioflavonoids, and enhanced fruit flavour and colour.
- The Humefert treatments also increased the Brookside soil health rating significantly. Amongst others, the Humefert Brookside analyses confirmed a higher and more active soil microbial status, a larger organic nitrogen reservoir, and better nutrient availability and cation ratios in the rhizosphere.