Increased Brix – Norfolk Soil and Crop Improvement Association
Three Year Asparagus Trial
Overview
SRC was involved in a three-year trial with the Norfolk Soil and Crop Improvement Association.
The trial was on a new asparagus plantation. The plot was set up in alternating 32-foot strips
covering 9 acres. The application rate was 1300 lbs/acre per year for a total of 3900 lbs/acre.
The control plot was fertilized with 150lbs Nitrogen, 60 lbs Phosphate and 175 lbs Potash per
acre. The SRC plot received no additional soil amendments.
The Norfolk sand plain is a coarse well-drained soil subject to acidification. The heavy use of
fertilizer and excessive cultivation has accelerated soil aging resulting in soil metal toxicities,
particularly aluminum. Crop monitoring performed by A&L Laboratories in this region confirmed
this problem.
June 24, 2004 - Forth Year - First Full Harvest
Root development was evaluated before harvesting commenced. The results showed a very
significant difference in plant development over the four year test period. The SRC plot root mass
and spear numbers were double that of the control plots.
Asparagus harvesting continues until brix levels drop between 7 and 8%. If brix is allowed to
drop below this level there will not be enough energy in root systems to produce fern for the
following year’s crop. The control strips as of June 24th measured between 7 and 8%. The
Spanish River Carbonatite (SRC) plots brix readings all averaged between 12 and 13%. This
meant that harvesting could have continued from the SRC plots while the control plots had to
stop.
The yield calculation for the control plots was 5242 lbs. The final production on the SRC plots
was 5832 lbs per acre for a 10% gain in productivity. If harvesting was to continue based on brix
levels continued production from the SRC would have resulted in a much higher final yield.
Root Mass Observations
Spanish River Carbonatite Plot Control Plot
Inputs: 1300 lbs/acre SRC Inputs: 150 lbs/acre Nitrogen
60 lbs/acre Phosphate
175 lbs/acre Potash
Weight was 17.5 lbs Weight was 10.0 lbs
Comments: root mass produced 64 spears Comments – root mass produced 30 spears
The results of the three asparagus trial showed the following results:
Spanish River Carbonatite outperformed chemical fertilizer.
Higher brix indicating higher nutrient value.
Increased plant vigor;
Larger root mass.
Greater spear production.
Higher yields
Improvements to soil quality were not evaluated but based on mineral constituents of SRC;
reactive calcite, apatite, biotite and trace elements, positive soil development would occur,
particularly the elimination of aluminum toxicity typical of the Norfolk sand plain.
Increased Brix & Yield – Chatham Orchards, Chatham Ontario
• SRC applied for 4 years at 950 lbs/acre
• Increased reproductive growth (more buds)
• 1999 average brix - 12, 2004 average brix - 17
• 1999 yield 48 bins/acre - 2004 yield 56 bins/acre
Small Fruit Production
Increased Nutrient Density
Paul Leeds Berry Farms – Guelph, Ontario
Leeds Berry Farms was the first client to use SRC on small fruit. His overall
response to applications of 1000 lbs per acre was increased brix readings in strawberries and raspberries. In fact research being conducted through the University of Minnesota identified the Leeds farm as having the highest brix in the Northern U.S. and Southern Ontario regions.
Chatham Orchards – Chatham, Ontario
Bart Dykman, owner of Chatham Orchards was having problems with his raspberry plots. The canes where in their third year and Bart was going to rip them out. The problem was poor yields and fruit was not setting; when he went to pick the berries they would fall apart. 500 lbs per acre of SRC was applied to these canes. There was a noticeable change in plant vigor, stronger canes and deeper green foliage. Bart harvested 600 pints from 400 feet of canes and did not experience any problems with berries falling apart. It would indicate that SRC as well as calcium and phosphorous sufficiency provided key micronutrients not found in these heavy Brookston clays.
Herman Eggars - West Virginia
Herman Eggars started using SRC two years ago on raspberries, this year he has included blueberries. Four weeks after application Herman noticed significant changes in plants; improved vigor, stronger canes and a deeper green foliage. Fruit quality was exceptional and sugar significantly increased. Herman has extensive knowledge of alternative fertilizer sources, particularly agrominerals. He has tested the majority of American Rock Phosphate sources, including Canadian Volcanophos. He has also used numerous agromineral sources that claim high micronutrient content like Azomite, green rock and Greensand. After the first year of using SRC, Herman admits no other agromineral source has performed as good. On SRC plots, virtually no plants succumbed to frost damage; untreated plots had heavy damage, poor fruit production and higher insect problems.
Increased Nutrient Content - Zubler Dairy Farms, Ridgetown Ontario
Zubler Dairy Farms comprises of 800 acres and milking 85 cows. The farm purchased 40 metric
tonnes of Spanish River Carbonatite™ in the spring of 2001 and commenced trails on forage
crops. Test results showed a significant increase in nutrient content of forages.
Zubler Farms currently is a certified organic dairy operation supplying milk to Harmony Organic
Milk Products. Zubler Farms has incorporated SRC in its yearly fertility management program
purchasing 480 tonnes between 2001 and 2006.
One very significant trend has occurred in all dairy trials to date. There is a strong trend to
increased mineral content with the exception of potassium. Where there was an excess of
potassium produced by manure applications SRC plots reduced plant uptake. Many of our dairy
customers continue to incorporate SRC into their fertility programs because of this.
Pasture and forage crops applications remain the largest use of SRC. Antidotal evidence from
livestock producers on increased grass land vigor, higher nutrient content, improved soil tilth,
improved animal health and decrease in forage consumption.
Increased Brix – Norfolk Soil and Crop Improvement Association