| 

Trial on Hypericum perenne crops: Increase in productivity and berry calibre

In the Tabacundo area, we carried out a trial with two forms of application at the pruning stage on Hypericum crops, of the Red Light Romance variety, on a farm that offers bright colours packed in large berries; deep green leaves, healthy petals and robust stems that support a greater number of berries, which requires constant innovation and soil health.

There were two objectives the client sought with the application of Tectopore: firstly, to generate a healthy soil environment to maintain and increase the microbial population, and secondly, to take advantage of Tectopore’s climate change mitigation attribute by leaving CO2 in the ground.  

Among the conditions of Tectopore Pure to achieve this are the stimulation of microbial activity and the promotion of nutrient bioavailability. In addition, it supports the proliferation of mycorrhizal fungi and induces systemic resistance and mitigation of root pathogens, pests and diseases.

We used the product, recommended for specific plants as in this case, seven year old plants, to evaluate the biological contribution of biochar in the soil to achieve greater vigour, thanks to the conditions it presents as a host for beneficial microorganisms.

We proceeded as follows: the first trial was under the irrigation line, and the second, placing Tectopore in the centre of the bed. In both cases, the organic matter was removed and then used to cover the product.

The soil of this crop is clay loam. In the evaluation of the two plots, Tectopore Pure was used with two forms of application and three granulometries, in addition to measuring productivity, berry quality and stem length. The existence of any effect on the cycle was also determined.

Among the results achieved, there was an increase in productivity of up to 27% and a better berry size, exceeding the control by almost one millimetre with all the granulometries.

Method of application

Graph 1

Under the irrigation line with two rows. Block 2

Graph 2

Application in the centre of the bed. Block 12

I. Results

In the application under the irrigation line we achieved the best data.

I.I Increase in productivity

In block 2, all the treatments with Tectopore had an increase in productivity in which granulometry 2 had the highest increase, with 27.78%.

It should be noted that not 100% of the harvest was carried out

Table 1

I.II Harvest cycle

Table 2

Graph 1

The production curves show that the biochar treatments concentrated their production one week earlier than the control. There was no advance or delay of the cycle.

I.III Post harvest quality: stem length

Tabla 3

In terms of quality, the data for the treatment with granulometry 2 and the control are very similar, with a higher percentage concentrated in 70 cm berries.

I.IV Berry grades measured after 146 days

Table 4

Graph 2

At 146 days, the coarse particle size has an increase of 7%, followed by the mixed particle size with 6% and, at the end is the result of the fine particle size, with 4.6%.

II. Video

III. Verification photographs

I. Application in the irrigation line

II. Application in the centre of the bed