Executive Summary
- The different plant sap analyses indicated an elevated nutrient status in the Humefert treatment. This was supported by a higher electrical conductivity in the fruit sap and in the rootzone soil is this treatment
- From early on in the season, the Humefert treatment had a better fresh and dry root weight. The root dry weight was often significantly higher in the Humefert treatment. In the winter evaluations there was also a significant increase in crown thickness in this treatment. During the October and December evaluations, a significant difference was seen in the root health score and number of fine roots in favour of the Humefert treatment
- From August 2024 onwards, there was a notable difference in the fruit quality in favour of the Humefert treatment. The fruit had a better over-all red colour, higher fruit dry-mass and an uniform shape. This trend continued through the October. In the October shelf life test 38% of the Control fruit was not marketable due to Botrytis and bacterial soft-rot infection, compared to 16% in the Humefert treatment
- In the final evaluation in December 2024 (approximately 4 weeks from the end of the crop), the leaves in the Humefert treatment were softer with less rind necrosis and tip-burn. The plants in this treatment also showed good late vigour, with extra leaves developing in the crowns. This is usually an indication of a healthy root environment and more plant available energy supporting the crop through abiotic summer stress conditions
- In the final Nvirotek soil analysis, the Control treatment had a lower soil nutrient status, higher density and a significantly lower aggregate stability. Although the Solvita soil respiration test indicated both treatments to be a ‘typically high biological soil’ with strong Nmineralisation potential, the active carbon concentration, standard carbon % and the soil organic matter % was significantly higher in the Humefert treatment
- The Humefert treatment resulted in a higher fresh and dry fruit weight throughout the season. Although these fruit weights fluctuated between the three trial harvest dates (19 July, 15 August and 1 October), the average fresh fruit weight increase was 8.27% and the average dry fruit weight was 3.67% higher