2004-2006 Seasons
| Over the 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 growing seasons, Holden Research and Consulting conducted strawberry fertility trials to demonstrate the impact of the use Actagro products on strawberry production. In these trials grower standard programs were compared to grower standard programs with Actagro products added. Production data was collected from four, 40 plant sampling plots within each treatment. The Ventana variety was utilized during the 2004-2005 season and the Camarosa variety was utilized during the 2005-2006 season. Extensive data was collected on yield, fruit size and quality, plant growth and net return to the grower. The results show significant improvements in most of the 14 trial parameters measured where the Actagro Program was used in conjunction with the grower standard program. Based on the extensive amount of data collected in these trials we are confident that Actagro products can provide strawberry growers a cost effective method of increasing yields, quality and net return. It is important to note that there was a significant increase in early season production and net return to the grower. |
Yield & Net Return Increases in Actagro Treated vs. Grower Standard
| Camarosa 05-06 | Ventana 04-05 | Proprietary 04-05 | |
|---|---|---|---|
Yield (Trays/acre) - Mid Season* |
148 (14%) |
191 (29%) |
119 (23%) |
Yield (Trays/acre) - Total Season |
283 (13%) |
420 (33%) |
148 (12%) |
Net Return ($) - Mid Season* |
1,784 (18%) |
1,048 (26%) |
1,216 (28%) |
Net Return ($) - Total Season |
2,435 (16%) |
1,458 (8%) |
1,317 (21%) |
Actagro Program
| Core Program 1. One week post planting: Structure 7.0 gal/ac + Liquid Humus 2.0 gal/ac. 2. 3 weeks after above: Structure 10.0 gal/ac. 3. 3 weeks after 2. above: Structure 5.0 gal/ac + Liquid Humus 1.0 gal/ac. 4. 3 weeks after 3. above: Liquid Humus 1-2 qts/ac every 2-4 weeks 5-6 times. Additions to Core Program 2004-2005 Trial 1. Structure @ 10.0 gal/ac + 6.5% Zinc @ 2.0 qt/ac applied mid season to both plots. 2005-2006 Trial 1. Actagro 6.5% Zinc applied 2/13/06 and 3/10/06 at 2.0 qt/ac to both plots. 2. Actagro 4.5% Iron applied 4/30/06 to both plots. 3. Actagro 7-7-7 @ 10.0 gal/ac applied to “no preplant” Camarosa plot on 2/2/06, 2/13/06 and 3/10/06. Core Program Cost: $120.00 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Growth and Quality % Increases in Actagro Treated vs. Grower Standard
| Camarosa 05-06 | Ventana 04-05 | Proprietary 04-05 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plant Size - 8 weeks post plant | 30% |
48% |
51% |
| Plant Size - Mid Season | 10% |
177% |
-1% |
| Wet Root Weight - 8 weeks | 13% |
50% |
45% |
| Wet Root Weight - Mid season | 36% |
48% |
5% |
| Crowns/plant - 1st reading | 7% |
1% |
0% |
| Crowns/plant - 2nd reading | 10% |
24% |
30% |
| Bloom & Fruit/Plant - 1st reading | 46% |
19% |
0% |
| Bloom & Fruit/Plant - 2nd reading | 22% |
18% |
14% |
| Berry Weight - Mid Season | 5% |
13% |
9% |
| Berry Weight - Total Season | 4% |
7% |
5% |
| Marketable Utilization - Mid | 1% |
7% |
7% |
| Marketable Utilization - Total | 1% |
5% |
5% |
| Bruised Fruit - 3-4 days in storage | -38% |
-26% |
-33% |
Summary
| Based on the extensive data collected in these trial involving vigor, production, quality, soil, petiole and leaf analysis it would appear that the utilization of an Actagro based fertility management program in addition to a grower standard program can significantly increase vigor, production and quality of strawberries varieties in these trials. Though this report represents two years worth of data, this data continues to confirm similar data collected on other strawberry varieties with similar Actagro programs from past year’s studies. This investigator (Dave Holden, Holden Research and Consulting) is fairly confident that an Actagro program will produce similar results in similar growing conditions as were seen in these trials. |
