An evaluation of BOOSTER-Mag on processing tomato farming productivity

摘要

With the support of the Australian Processing Tomato Research Council (APTRC), Calix has worked with a northern Victoria processing tomato grower to quantify the effect of BOOSTER-Mag treatment on field processing tomato grower productivity. BOOSTER-Mag is a new mineral-derived, bio-active magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)z) product under development by Calix specifically as an agricultural foliar spray. Expanded scale BOOSTER-Mag field trials were undertaken over two farms in the 2016/17 season. The objective of the work was to quantify any differences in farm productivity that BOOSTER-Mag may provide regarding yield, yield quality [pH and Brix) and conventional pesticide usage and cost. The evaluation compared crop grown as follows: 1) control fields (8and 5 ha, respectively); managed conventionally using in-market pesticides according to observed pest and disease pressure and industry Economic Injury Level (EIL) thresholds; 2) trial fields (6 and 4 ha, respectively); BOOSTER-Mag applied every two weeks as a base-treatment with additional pesticide treatments only if EIL thresholds were reached. The comparative crop monitoring reports, grower spray records and harvest data obtained are instructive. BOOSTER-Mag treatment coincided with fewer EIL events and therefore fewer conventional pesticide treatments. No statistically significant difference in relative yield and yield quality was observed indicating the substitution did not compromise yield or yield quality. The grower observed no obvious difference in pest and disease pressure however increased spider numbers and increased parasitic insect activity in the trial fields was noted and assessed. It is suggested BOOSTER-Mag bio-activity with respect to pest control, and although not quantified in this work, plant pathogen and disease control, contributed to a meaningful improvement in grower productivity and sustainability.