Tag: South Africa

21.6% Improvement in Brix Level of Tomatoes in South Africa

First preliminary tomato results in South Africa: 30 days before harvest!

Brix (Sugar Content): Brix is the most important commercial indicator, because many cash crop producers are reliant on Brix % to determine the sale value of their produce. The preliminary Brix results are exciting – a 10% increase at this early stage indicates a projected final 20% uplift in Brix.

Size (weight): Estimated size increase of 40% is a fantastic early stage result. Further: the testing farmer estimates around 30% more tomatoes per plant!

Quality/Taste: The farmer reports that some of the untreated tomatoes were already dying, compared to the SumaGrow treated tomatoes, that were “looking great”.

Even at this early stage, the farmer indicated a clear positive difference in the taste of the SumaGrow grown tomatoes.

Tomatoes Update

4 weeks before the harvest the Bris measured 6.6% (well on its way to the projected over 7.5%) for SumaGrow treated tomatoes and 6.0% for control, representing then already a 10% improvement.

After a severe cold spell, at harvest the Brix measured 6.2% for SumaGrow treated and 5.1% for control, representing a 21.6% improvement.

“I was absolutely delighted when I discovered the Brix result. After a severe cold spell, I was expecting a major decline in the Brix levels, however, the SumaGrow treated tomatoes maintained its high Brix level beyond my expectation. This will affect my pocket in the best possible way, thank you SumaGrow!” – Christian Schutte

21.6% Improvement in Brix Level of Tomatoes

Record Onion Harvest Smashes Average Yields with an increase of 89.45%

Onion harvest smashes yield record with 3,959% ROI using ExploGrow™ polymicrobial bio-fertilizerscreenshot_2019-07-17-onion-harvest-smashes-yield-record-with-3959-roi-using-explogrowe284a2-polymicrobial-bio-fertilizer-yo....png

*The follow text has been transcribed from a video interview with a South African farmer.*

“We used SumaGrow (referred to as ExploGrow) on our December* planting of onions. We normally harvest an average of 55 tons per hectare on our December planting. The final tonnage added up to 104.2 tons per hectare. This was an 89.45% increase, which equals an increase of 49.2 tons per hectare. The only change made to our normal onion program was that we added SumaGrow together with the recommended food products for SumaGrow. We are very excited about the road ahead. We immediately applied SumaGrow to all our potato crops. Now we are also very excited to see what SumaGrow will achieve with our potatoes.”

The estimated return on investment for this onion harvest is 3,959%. This translates to an estimated financial gain of $68,953.84 US dollars.

Record Onion Harvest Smashes Average Yields with an increase of 89.45% pic 1

67.7% Increased Root Mass in Onion Crop

When a farmer ran out of Root-knot nematode poison on the SumaGrow treated area, they decided not to apply the poison on the remaining SumaGrow treated areas. Instead the farmer decided to put his trust in the plants’ own abilities and defenses when growing in an environment with the right combination of diverse and beneficial microbial species.67.7% Increased Root Mass in Onion Crop pic 1

Photo of Onion roots

  • A + B: control Onions
  • C + D: ExploGrow™ treated Onions
  • C: ExploGrow™ treated Onions with NO Root-knot nematode poison
  • D: ExploGrow™ treated Onions with Root-knot nematode poison

67.7% Increased Root Mass in Onion Crop pic 2

As expected, the (C) SumaGrow treated onions developed roots almost double in size, with a +67.7% increased root mass.

A further observation is that the C onions (SumaGrow treated with NO Root-knot nematode poison) have bigger root systems than the D onions (SumaGrow treated WITH Root-knot nematode poison), a 42.3% increased root mass versus the SumaGrow treated onions (D) that did receive the nematode poison as well.

67.7% Increased Root Mass in Onion Crop pic 3

32.56% Increased Sugarcane Yield using SumaGrow

            “The unique microbial composition places ExploGrow™ in a league all of its own”. Dr Malherbe, BSc; BSc Hons.; MSc (Mikrobiologie); Pr.Sci.Nat. (Landbouwetenskap); PhD (Agronomie)

Four months after the first SumaGrow application (referred to as ExploGrow in report), the root system more than doubled.

32.56% Increased Sugarcane Yield using SumaGrow pic 1

The “more than doubling” of the root system enhances the plant’s ability to absorb nutrients, hence reducing chemical fertilizer requirements, reducing water needs by about 20% and makes the plant more resistant to extreme heat, cold/frost and typically increases the yield and the Brix dramatically.

32.56% Increased Sugarcane Yield using SumaGrow pic 2

32.56-increased-sugarcane-yield-using-sumagrow-pic-3.png

 

After only four months, soil conditions already visibly improved compared with the control.

“This is due to the increased biological activity by the 17 microbes in ExploGrow (SumaGrow) and the consequent much larger roots systems” – Mark Young, BSc.

The average chlorophyll fluorescence in the SumaGrow treated plots came out at +46.1% increase, as compared with the average of the Control plots. The +46.1% increase in chlorophyll fluorescence correlates with the +32.56% increase yield. The chlorophyll fluorescence is an indicator of the improved leaf photosynthesis taking place in the plant, due to the enhanced activity of the beneficial microbes.

Sugar content (Brix) increased by +18.9%

32.56% Increased Sugarcane Yield using SumaGrow pic 4

At harvest the main SumaGrow area produced 114 tons/hectare which is in an increase of 28 tons/hectare (+32.56% increase)

32.56% Increased Sugarcane Yield using SumaGrow pic5

Results after about a year:

  • Increased leaf mass and photosynthesis
  • Increased soil life: 80 times more bacteria, 50 times more fungi

“ExploGrow™ represents more than increased yield, crop quality and rejuvenated soil. True sustainable agriculture requires real and safe solutions enabling farmers to cut down on chemical fertilizers, poisons, and using less water. We must, before it is too late, give serious attention to the health and sustainability of our soils. We must now embrace more responsible new farming methods.”- Mnr Dreyer Senekal, Senekal Boerdery

Potato Farmer with Record 88 tons per hectare- Limpopo, South Africa

Potato Farmer with Record 88 tons per hectare- Limpopo, South Africa pic 1After seeing the positive effects on other crops, the farmer added SumaGrow (referred to as ExploGrow in report) to his normal fertilizer program, treating all his potatoes. He left no control areas, comparing only year to year results. SumaGrow was applied by pivot irrigation between 8 and 10 liters per hectare. 88 tons per hectare were achieved on one of the 18 potato lands.

Remarks from the farmer:

  • “Very happy with the yield, quality and sizing that was much better than normal year-on-year averages”
  • “The potato plants we’re growing so well (healthy and strong) that they looked like they had a few more weeks left in them to produce even more tons per ha, nevertheless we harvested on the scheduled dates”
  • “ExploGrow has become an integral part of our fertilizer program, going forwards, we will be reducing chemical fertilizers and trialing slightly longer growing periods”

The farmer invited us to bring any serious potato farmer to “come and see for themselves”.

Potato Farmer with Record 88 tons per hectare- Limpopo, South Africa pic 2

The photos were taken on a different potato farm in the Limpopo Province. The potato plants in these photos were also treated with SumaGrow with a special blend of beneficial soil microbes. The owner of this potato farm was also particularly impressed by the large sizing that resulted in a better overall yield.

Carrot Farmer Achieves 28% Increase in Carrot Quality

 

20190521 145752

Value gained by Carrot farmer: big difference in quality

  • ExploGrow™ (SumaGrow) bio-organic fertiliser out-performed all the 5 Carrot farm lands on quality by +28.71% with a yield increase of +12.8% (on average)
  • Carrot quality: on average ExploGrow™ resulted in harvesting +12.88 tons per hectare more Carrots “fit for market”
  • Carrot yield: on average ExploGrow™ resulted in yielding +8.02 more tons per hectare
  • The market value of the additional ExploGrow™ Carrots “fit for market” added up to +R41,216.00 per hectare
  • Return on investment: 1,032%

Carrot Yield Improves With Explogrow Organic Bio Fertiliser

Carrot harvest data in tons per hectare (Increased yield)

Carrot variety: Verano

  • Untreated 68.97t/ha
  • ExploGrow™ treated 87.98t/ha

Increased yield: 19.01 tons per hectare =
+27.6% more carrots harvested

Carrot variety: Santorin

  • Untreated 48.25t/ha
  • ExploGrow™ treated 54.78t/ha

Increased yield: 6.56 tons per hectare =
+13.5% more carrots harvested

Carrot variety: Kendo

  • Untreated 68.16t/ha
  • ExploGrow™ treated 74.17t/ha

Increased yield: 6.01 tons per hectare =
+8.8% more carrots harvested

Carrot variety: Melodia

  • Untreated 58.48t/ha
  • ExploGrow™ treated 60.66t/ha

Increased yield: 2.18 tons per hectare =
+3.7% more carrots harvested

Carrot variety: Blank

  • Untreated 61.12t/ha
  • ExploGrow™ treated 67.50t/ha

Increased yield: 6.38 tons per hectare =
+10.4% more carrots harvested

On average ExploGrow™ (SumaGrow) out-performed every untreated Carrot farm land by 12.8% (8.02 tons per hectare), however there was a very big quality difference in terms of marketable Carrot quality.

The improved quality of the ExploGrow™ treated Carrots enabled the farmer to deliver +28.71%more Carrots “fit for market” compared with the untreated Carrots as illustrated below:

Harvesting Carrots Crop Data Measuring The Explogrow Organic Bio Fertilizer Effect In Hankey

Carrot Yield And Quality Improves With Explogrow Organic Bio Fertiliser

Marketable Carrots (quality fit for market versus crop damage)

The untreated Verano block showed signs of being quite infested with root pathogens. The quality of this block was by far the worst of the tested areas. This was in spite of conventional preventative action. The quality and yield of the carrots in ExploGrow™ treated Verano block is a triumph under these circumstances.

On this particular farm, the soils have high concentrations of crop damaging Root-knot Nematodes.

Carrot variety: Santoriu

  • Untreated 31t/ha
  • Treated 37t/ha

Carrot variety: Melodia

  • Untreated 53t/ha
  • Treated 54t/ha

Carrot variety: Blank

  • Untreated 54t/ha
  • Treated 58t/ha

Carrot variety: Kendo

  • Untreated 59t/ha
  • Treated 65t/ha

Carrot variety: Verano

  • Untreated 28t/ha
  • Treated 75t/ha

Differences in marketable crop quality after applying ExploGrow™

  • the ExploGrow™ (SumaGrow) treated lands out-performed all untreated Carrots lands
  • an additional +12.88 tons per hectare Carrots “fit for market” harvested (+28.71%)
  • the market value of the additional ExploGrow™ Carrots harvested equalled +R41,216.00 per hectare

UPDATE – Pecan Nut Trees in South Africa- 40% Increase in Yield in Nuts

UPDATE - Pecan Nut Trees in South Africa- 40% Increase in Yield in Nuts pic 1Small trees in the nursery treated with Explogrow (SumaGrow) which were on the left, dramatically outperformed the untreated trees on the right.

SumaGrow trees produced an estimated 10kg extra per tree, compared with the untreated trees. This increase equates to an average of 25kg added production per tree, signifying a 40% improvement in mass.

The size of the Pecan nuts is also dramatically better. This places the product in the top category, resulting in the farmer being paid $0.85 more per kg, equal to a financial gain to the farmer per tree of around $21.

UPDATE - Pecan Nut Trees in South Africa- 40% Increase in Yield in Nuts pic 2Stem diameter of treated Pecan trees averages 1cm. Untreated Pecan trees stem diameter averages 0.6cm.

SumaGrow’s microbiologist is confident that similar results will be obtained with all the nut varieties grown in South Africa.

UPDATE - Pecan Nut Trees in South Africa- 40% Increase in Yield in Nuts pic 3

The competition for hectares between soybeans and groundnuts.

UPDATE - Pecan Nut Trees in South Africa- 40% Increase in Yield in Nuts pic 4Groundnut is a major oil-seed crop in South Africa. About 200,000 ha are planted annually, producing an average yield of 1,000 kg/ha. In South Africa, Groundnut yields are not only limited by low and late summer rains and poor soils, but also by many diseases including those caused directly or indirectly by plant-parasitic nematodes. Indirect damage may include increased secondary infection by fungi and reduced nodulation and nitrogen fixation. SumaGrow has shown to be effective in significantly alleviating the underscored factors.

Pecan Trees Yield 25% More Nuts in South Africa

ExploGrow™ (SumaGrow) treated trees produced an estimated 5kg to 8kg extra per tree, compared with the untreated trees.  This increase equates to around 25% improvement in yield.  With N-P-K- fertilizers reduced to 50% of recommended quantities, the use of ExploGrow™ (SumaGrow) is essentially cost neutral.

The farmer, Mr. John Pozyn, achieved, by the use of ExploGrow™, an overall net gain of around R37,000 per hectare.

The size of the Pecan Nuts is also dramatically better. This places the product in the top category, resulting in the farmer being paid R11.50 more per kg, equal to a financial gain to the farmer per tree of around R290, adding up to R29,000 per hectare.

This increase equates to a 50% improvement in the sales price.

South Africa -- Pecan-Nut-trees-planted-with-ExploGrow-microbial-biofertiliser-doubled-growth-rate

Improved quality grading:

The size of the pecan nuts is also dramatically better.  This places the product in the top category, resulting in the farmer being paid R11.50 more per kg, equal to a financial gain to the farmer per tree of around R290, adding up to R29,000 per hectare.

This increase equates to a 50% improvement in sale price.

South Africa -- pecan tree transplant with bottle comparison

Improved growth rate:

After 11 months, the ExploGrow™ (SumaGrow) treated trees already appear to be one year ahead in its growth cycle compared to the control.

“My trees with ExploGrow (SumaGrow), after just 1 year, are just as high as two-year-old trees without ExploGrow (SumaGrow).”

John Pozyn, Pecan nut tree farmer

The significance for farmers would be to achieve the 1 ton per hectare at least one year faster than the normal 5 years.

The significance for nurseries is that they would be able to sell trees to farmers after 3 years instead of 4 years.

By implication, a nursery producing 100,000 trees is likely to bank approximately R17,500,000 one year faster when using ExploGrow™ (SumaGrow).

The increased yield and price equates to a total increase of 75% value per hectare.

This result is without taking into account the faster growth rate.

South Africa -- pecan-nut-tree-nursery-using-explogrow-biofertiliserSouth Africa -- Pecan-Nut-Trees-control vs Treated

South Africa Organic Citrus Grower Improves Tree Survival Rate

A South African organic citrus farmer improved his tree survival rate to almost 100% (up from 50%) after applying ExploGrow (SumaGrow), three years after replanting new organic citrus trees into “very old citrus soil”.

Due to organic growing restrictions on the use of chemical poisons/fertilizers, this farmer’s previous optimal survival rate was around 50%.  The citrus trees from the block treated with ExploGrow™ (SumaGrow) are also carrying many more lemons versus the control.

Organic-Citrus-Trees-South Africa Lemon

Photos above: 3 years after replanting Citrus trees, taken 10 days apart with slightly different lighting. Along with the improved survival rate, there is also a remarkable difference visible with naked eye. The farmer (based in the Sunday’s River Valley) invited us to bring any serious Citrus farmer to “come and see for themselves”.

South Africa Lemon tree comparison

“The [ExploGrow (SumaGrow) treated] trees are growing aggressively, much faster than the control.” 🙂

Full Organic Citrus Farmer​

Below are pictures of seven month old orange tree seedlings treated with ExploGrow™  (SumaGrow).  The photos were taken nine weeks after the first application of ExploGrow™ (SumaGrow).

South Africa 7 week old orange seedlings

Stem diameter +22%:  ExploGrow™ (SumaGrow) treated 4.5mm, Untreated 3.7mm (9 weeks after the 1st application)

Increased root mass: over 100%  ExploGrow™ (SumaGrow) treated > 2,000mg; Untreated < 0,999mg

Improved growth rate: 19% Matured for replanting: ExploGrow™ (SumaGrow) treated: 19/100; Untreated: 16/100

South Africa Lucerne (Alfalfa) Achieves 130% Yield Increase

Lusern-Alfalfa-South Africa -- field comparison160126

Mr. Francois van Rooyen, a lucerne and pecan nut agriculturist, carried out the following interesting controlled test on his lucerne.

  • The right-hand field was treated with ExploGrow™ (SumaGrow).
  • The left-hand field was not treated.
  • The soil is the same in both fields: very brackish and shallow water table, and is well drained with underground pipes.
  • In all other respects the two fields were treated the same, except a variation in the type of Lucerne.
    On the left hand field: Sardi 10 cultivar. On the right hand field WL 711.
  • Both fields were therefore top producers with low dormancy and both fields were also treated identically with organic acids, clay minerals, macro-elements, micro-elements and activated carbon, to provide an effective and balanced soil due to brackish conditions prevailing in the area.

“ExploGrow™ (SumaGrow) has just raised the maximum yield ceiling for my land and a 130% increase in yield represents a massive increase in profits.”

Mr Francois van Rooyen, Lucerne and Pecan Nut agriculturist

UPDATE: Results after harvesting Lucerne

  • Harvesting took place during March/April 2016
  • Yield increase: 130%
  • The ExploGrow™ (SumaGrow) treated area produced 23 tons per hectare versus 10 tons per hectare from the untreated area.
  • Better plant health on the ExploGrow™ (SumaGrow) treated area showing a “remarkable difference compared to the untreated area”.
  • “After a severe and damaging drought, I would attribute the radically superior yields on the treated land to the bigger root systems, reduction in watering requirements and improved plant health, delivering over 23 tons per hectare compared with only 10 tons per hectare for untreated area.” Mr. van Rooyen

Lucerne-Alfalfa -- South Africa close up

Based on his expertise in balancing soil, Mr van Rooyen offers his analysis as follows:

“I believe that the carbon and organic acids act as excellent food for the ExploGrow™ (SumaGrow) microbes.

In nature, manure (for example) releases organic acids and then feeds organisms from the animal’s intestines that generates diverse populations of ground microbes. Without the dung, the microbial populations would not develop, because some form of energy needs to drive the microbial activity. It is not enough to only use a balanced vitamin and mineral supplement. You also need protein, carbohydrates and other energy-rich compounds to function at the optimal level.

I therefore believe that the organic acids in my fields provide the energy to the microbes to develop a diverse strong population. This diverse population can now execute various tasks like (a) extracting minerals from the soil solution and (b) helping the plant to absorb the minerals. 

Microbial activity fuels a high rate of multiplication. This impacts positively on the plants also acting as a precursor to the plant’s own productions of hormones, resulting in stronger growth, like I observed with ExploGrow™ (SumaGrow).

The ExploGrow™ (SumaGrow) microbes develop a diverse population in symbiosis with the plant. This diverse group of microbes carry out several critical functions such as binding of atmospheric nitrogen, releasing phosphates etc. In this specific case of brackish soil, the microbes make the excess iron available to the plant for consumption, which would otherwise be detrimental to root establishment and growth.

I believe this is clear from the photo, when looking at the left-hand field. One can clearly see in the photo that on the untreated left field the plant microbial interaction is poor, although this field has an otherwise absolutely balanced fertilization program.

The soil in the left field is simply poor in essential microbes.

Looking at the right-hand field treated with ExploGrow™ (SumaGrow), the picture speaks for itself!”

“On my farm I noticed an extraordinary difference in the presence of lice (“Bladspringers”). The ExploGrow™ (SumaGrow) treated areas were virtually unaffected compared with the untreated areas that were severely affected. Furthermore, three other farmers that I supplied with ExploGrow™ (SumaGrow) experienced similar results.”

Mr Francois van Rooyen, Lucerne and Pecan Nut agriculturistLucerne - Alfalfa -- South Africa -- bush view

Photo: Note how many leaves there are on the treated plants compared to the low leaf count on the untreated plant

At the end of the season Mr van Rooyen shared the following observations:

  • “A very intense drought hit the central and western regions in South Africa. 
  • Insects such as Bladspringer (Leafhopper) that normally survive in the field, fed on Lucerne for the whole summer, causing severe damage.
  • The ExploGrow™ (SumaGrow) treated area had a very positive effect on the resistance of the plants against insects.
  • Where farmers applied ExploGrow (SumaGrow) in the spring, there was visible resistance. The population of the insects were much smaller on the ExploGrow (SumaGrow) treated areas. Also, there were far less marks on the leaves in the ExploGrow (SumaGrow) treated areas.
  • Within six days of the end of March we had 150 mm of rain. 
  • The treated Lucerne survived much better in the wet conditions than the untreated Lucerne.
  • In the end, production varied from 10 tons for the untreated Lucerne and 23 tons for the treated Lucerne.”
 “ExploGrow™ (SumaGrow) is a winner!“
Mr Francois van Rooyen, Lucerne and Pecan Nut agriculturist

Pecan Nuts

“I made the same observation on Pecan Nut trees, in an orchard where 40% of the trees were dying – although the soil was perfectly balanced with organic acids elements etc.  After treatment with ExploGrow™ (SumaGrow) there was a total recovery.”

Mr Francois van Rooyen, Lucerne and Pecan Nut agriculturist