Peppers

In August, bell pepper farmer Carmelo Piazza began a plot test in plastic tunnels with Solum Naturale SumaGrow inside. Farmers in Central Sicily are hampered in the hot, dry area by having to grow crops in sandy soil which are heavily infested with parasitic nematodes.

Carmelo soaked the seedlings in a Solum Naturale SumaGrow inside solution before planting. The control crop was fertilized and planted in the traditional manner. Towards the end of November, Carmelo observed that the control plants had yellowish top leaves, indicating the start of a nematode infestation; however, the test plots were visibly greener and healthier with no discoloration. Solum Naturale is designed to boost the natural defenses of the plants by increasing the health of the soil with a synergistic consortium of native microbes of the rhizosphere. Healthy soil contains all kinds of interdependent organisms that release mineral nutrients and water.

In January, Sicily had a rare snowstorm accompanied with freezing temperatures. As a result, all the plants were very stressed. In fact, all control plants died and had to be removed. The test plants treated with Solum Naturale SumaGrow inside, though stressed, survived and were still very healthy and yielding delicious, good-sized bell peppers. Central Sicily (Italy)– Bell Peppers pic 1

Central Sicily (Italy)– Bell Peppers pic 2

Control Plants

Test Plot Plants

Central Sicily (Italy)– Bell Peppers pic 3 The severe weather created a large bell pepper shortage. Prices greatly increased and Carmelo was able to recoup some of his losses. According to Carmelo “We were the only growers in the area able to bring bell peppers to market.”

The plants were in poor condition before the development period began, as seen to the right. Greece – Alfalfa, Tomatoes, Peppers, and Eggplants pic 1.png

Throughout the study conducted by Ergoefarmogi, the plants went from lifeless to thriving (seen below), and this was achieved without the use of fertilizer.

greece-e28093-alfalfa-tomatoes-peppers-and-eggplants-pic-2.png

Over 60 days, faster and greater development and also intense flowering were observed. There was an increase in size and quality of the crops and an increased productivity from 30 to 80% per crop. An absence of fungus and other microorganism as well as various insects was observed. The plants were completely healthy throughout the duration of the development period. They were more alive, had vivid colors, and had visible difference in the size compared to those plants that had used conventional fertilizer. Their growth was also faster with better quality regarding their look and their taste. After the pruning during the productive seasons, they obtained branches and flowers and the production increases dramatically, and the fruit quality was evident in the excellent taste.

Greece – Alfalfa, Tomatoes, Peppers, and Eggplants pic 3

With the alfalfa crop, at least 40-60% faster and greater growth was observed. Also greater productivity was shown by the intense dark green color, deeper roots system, denser and larger size of the plant.