Kiwi qualitative characteristics improvement
Results of the ANTI-Stress 4 Fruit Crops Research Project (NSRF 2018-2021) – Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Through Research Programs in collaboration with Universities and Research Institutes in Greece and Abroad, it is proven that the superior quality and integrated innovative technologies of Agrology’s Functional Crop Nutrition® products, make a difference in crops from the very first applications!
Our goal is to demonstrate that application programs with Agrology’s Functional Crop Nutrition® products are an obvious investment for producers, as the financial benefits exceed the cost of supplemental applications!
One such Research Program was carried out in 2020, on Kiwi var. Hayward in Pieria, within the framework of the ANTI-Stress 4 Fruit Crops Research Project (NSRF 2018-2021), in collaboration with the Department of Horticulture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki,
The field was divided into three equal plots where three different treatments were tested:
- Treatment 1: 100% Synthetic Cytokinin
- Treatment 2: x2 Nodius® F-Kin
- Treatment 3: Agrology’s Functional Crop Nutrition® Program
In all plots, the farmer used the same plant protection and plant nutrition-fertilization program, apart from the additional applications of each treatment.
Identity of the Experiment
Cultivation Season: 2020
Location: Karitsa, Pieria
Partner: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki – Department of Horticulture Cultivation: Kiwi
Variety: Hayward
Configuration type: Pergola
Program Duration:15/5/2020 – 20/10/2020
Experiment Goals
By applying Agrology’s Functional Crop Nutrition® products during specific growth stages, farmers can achieve significant agronomic benefits for the crops.
The Goal of this Research Program was to improve the Kiwi qualitative characteristics (Dry matter, flesh firmness, white kernel firmness).
Crop Nutrition Program in Treatments
Application Timings, Foliar dosages of the tested products in each treatment, are given in Picture 1.
Liquid concentrate of Natural Metabolic Catalysts, Amino Acids, and Trace Elements, organically activated with the E2DA factor, resulting in:
- Cell Divisions Increase
- Fruit Size & Weight Increase
- Fruit Size & Weight Uniformity Increase
- Improvement in the texture of the white core (columella)
- Dry Matter Increase and Postharvest Life Improvement
Complex Highly Concentrated Functional Crop Nutrition® product in the form of a thixotropic Gel, with Bioavailable Silicon of E-PerForm® Technology, rich in Phosphorus (15-65-15+8SiO2+TE).
- Fruit set Enhancement
- Fruit size Increase
- Fruit Weight Increase
Biostimulant of 20 – L amino acids of plant origin that achieves:
- Enhancement of plant metabolism
- Promotion of Vegetative Growth
- Enhancement of cell divisions
- Improvement of the Plant’s Resistance to Abiotic Stress
Silicon and calcium biostimulant (35.0% w/v SiO2 & 35.0% w/v CaO) with a high percentage of available orthosilicic acid, which is the absorbable and assimilable form of silicon by plants:
- Improved N, P, K uptake (SiO2)
- Vital for cell wall strength (CaO)
- Increase resistance to stress (SiO2)
- Increased fruit firmness and Postharvest Life (CaO)
Results
Fruit Dry Matter Increase at Harvest Day
- T1 (100% Synthetic Cytokinin): 16.15%
- T2 (x2 Nodius® F-Kin): 16.70%
- T3 (Agrology Functional Crop Nutrition® Program): 17.20%
Fruit Dry Matter, 8 days after Harvest
- T1 (100% Synthetic Cytokinin): 16.25%
- T2 (x2 Nodius® F-Kin): 16.81%
- T3 (Agrology Functional Crop Nutrition® Program): 17.20%
Increase of Flesh Firmness at Harvest Day
- T1 (100% Synthetic Cytokinin): 7.82 kg
- T2 (x2 Nodius® F-Kin): 7.93 kg
- T3 (Agrology Functional Crop Nutrition® Program): 8.08 kg
Fruit Flesh Firmness, 8 days after Harvest
- T1 (100% Synthetic Cytokinin): 8.77 kg
- T2 (x2 Nodius® F-Kin): 9.51 kg
- T3 (Agrology Functional Crop Nutrition® Program): 10.05 kg
Improved white core texture at Harvest Day
- T1 (100% Synthetic Cytokinin): 18.51 kg
- T2 (x2 Nodius F-Kin): 16.22 kg
- T3 (Agrology Functional Crop Nutrition® Program): 16.73 kg
Improved texture of white core, 8 days after Harvest
- T1 (100% Synthetic Cytokinin): 11.50 kg
- T2 (x2 Nodius F-Kin): 8.82 kg
- T3 (Agrology Functional Crop Nutrition® Program): 9.40 kg
Summary – Results
Agrology Functional Crop Nutrition® Products in Treatments 2 and 3, compared to the Synthetic Cytokinin (T1), presented:
- Higher fruit dry matter percentage at harvest day and during storage
- Improvement in the texture of the white core (columella),
- Higher Fruit Flesh Firmness during storage
- Production of a higher quality final product (better Kiwi qualitative characteristics) with more desirable characteristics for the consumer and a longer post-harvest life.
“Co‐financed by the European Union and Greek national funds through the Operational Program Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, under the call RESEARCH – CREATE – INNOVATE (project code Τ2ΕΔΚ-05366, project name NUTRI-TECH FRUIT”)”.
Obtain detailed information on Agrology’s Functional Crop Nutrition® Programs by the specialized staff of Agrology.
Find out who is the responsible agronomist – seller of your area HERE!
“This experiment was conducted under specific field conditions and should not be applied as a standard without the guidance of an Agronomist or the Agrology Technical Department. In any case, Agrology Functional Crop Nutrition® products and programs must be applied according to the label or the instructions by Agrology’s Agronomic R&D specialists.”