Τhe results after the application of the Nutrition Program of Agrology in Cotton cultivation were impressive. With the application of the Specialty Plant Nutrition Product XGel® activ Topaz of the XGel® activ Line and the special preparation Suprafix® MoBoZin with Molybdenum-Boron-Zinc, we managed to achieve Increase of Cotton Production!
Every year we carry out a series of research Programs in collaboration with Greek and International Research Institutions and Universities. The aim is to investigate the effectiveness rate of our new products and promote the successful effect of our established ones.
Such a Research Program was carried out in collaboration with the University of Thessaly, during the 2019 Cultivation Season. The Program was implemented on a 5,400 sq. m. plot at a University Farm, in direct collaboration with Dr. Christos Kavalaris, of the Laboratory of Agricultural Engineering. Moreover, the entire program was in accordance with the regulations and conditions required by the Research Organizations for the proper conduct of experiments.
Our ultimate goal is to demonstrate that the Agrology Specialty Nutrition Programs constitute a profitable investment for producers, as the financial benefits more than cover the cost of the additional applications!
Products and Methods
Cultivation Season: 2019
Location: University of Thessaly Farm, Rizomylos Magnisia
Collaboration: University of Thessaly
Cultivation: Cotton
Area of Experiment: 5,400 sq. m.
Plant protection: Same for the entire area
Description of Experimental Scheme
The experimental scheme we applied was that of Completely Randomized Groups (Design). Each Group involves a repetition of all treatments implemented. Around the Groups, there were strip zones, where no intervention was performed, so that the separation between them can be clear. The experiment included the Control Section and five treatments. The number of repetitions in each treatment was four (4) and the area of each experimental plot 120 m2. In each treatment, the producer performed foliar spraying on specific Germination Stages of the crop with Agrology products, which were coded to ensure the impartiality and validity of the measurements (AGR 051 and AGR 068).
Treatments
- Control – no treatments with Agrology products
- 1st: Suprafix MoBoZin – Foliar spraying: 100 cc/1,000 sq. m. in the stage of square appearing (5/7/2019)
- 2nd: XGel activ Topaz – Foliar spraying: 300 cc/1,000 sq. m. at the beginning of fruiting (23/7/2019)
- 3rd: XGel activ Topaz – Foliar spraying: 150 cc/1,000 sq. m. at the beginning of fruiting and 15 days later (23/7/2019 and 5/8/2019)
- 4th: XGel activ Topaz – Foliar spraying: 300 cc/1,000 sq. m. at the beginning of fruiting and 15 days later (23/7/2019 and 5/8/2019)
- 5th: Suprafix MoBoZin – Foliar spraying: 100 cc/1,000 sq. m. at the stage of square appearing (5/7/2019) + XGel activ Topaz – Foliar spraying: 300 cc/1,000 sq. m. at the beginning of fruiting and 15 days later (23/7/2019 and 5/8/2019)
Proof Objective
The aim of this Experiment was the scientific documentation of the effects on cotton production from the application of different foliar formulations on cotton (increase in production).
Specialized Nutrition – Fertilizing Program
The applications were foliar, in the appropriate stages. The stages were selected based on the requirements of each germination stage of crop development.
- Suprafix® MoBoZin (100 cc/1,000 sq. m.) Boron-Molybdenum-Zinc Formulation for the Improvement of Flowering and the Increase of Stem Growth.
The application was foliar at the stage of appearance of the first squares.
- XGel® activ Topaz (150 or 300 cc/1,000 sq. m.) Highly concentrated nutritional product rich in Phosphorus and Potassium (0-50-50 + TE). To Boost Fruit Setting and Increase the size of Bolls.
The application was foliar at the beginning of fruiting and 2 weeks later.
Proof Results
After taking samples from the Control and all 5 treatments, and the necessary measurements, we observed that most of the treatments with Agrology formulations brought positive results to the benefit of the producer. Indicatively, we observed the following:
In the 5th treatment (one application with Suprafix MoBoZin at the recommended dosage and 2 applications with XGel activ Topaz at the recommended dosage):
Production Cotton Increase by 70 kg/1,000 sq. m. or 13.59%
Control Yield (kg/1,000 sq. m.): 515
5th treatment yield (kg/1,000 sq. m.): 585
In the remaining treatments:
Increase in total production, with the exception of the 3rd treatment where XGel activ Topaz was applied twice at half the recommended dosage.
Investment – Producer benefit
The increase of production by 70 kg/1,000 sq. m. in the 5th treatment, if it was a commercial application, would contribute to the increase of the producer’s revenue by €28/1,000 sq. m. While the cost of additional applications amounts to only 5.57€/1,000 sq. m.
The producer had an extra financial benefit due to:
- Increase of Fruit Production by 70 kg/1,000 sq. m.
The Cost-Benefit Ratio is 1:5. That is, for every €1 the producer invested in the Agrology Program, he received an additional income of €5.
(The average price/kg provided was 0,4€ [2019]. The information about the average per kilo prices comes from by local cotton producers and not arbitrarily).
