Study Investigator: J. Curtis, Phd
Location of Study: Florida, USA, open field
Study Period: May- July 2018
DAP: Number of Days After Precedent application
1 Pt/Acre from 1st flowers, (GS+Vegro®)
1 Pt/acre, 7 DAP
1 Pt/acre, 7 DAP
1 Pt/acre 7 DAP
1 Pt/Acre, 7 DAP
1 Pt/Acre, 7 DAP
1 Pt/Acre, 7 DAP
Plants were maintained at a commercial level with insecticide (twice weekly applications of BT) as well as fertilizer (6-0-6 liquid fertilizer through the drip every other day at the rate of 25 Gals/Acre). No fungicides were applied during this trial.
Applied: A,B,C,D,E,F,G and replicated 4 times
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Treatment 1 [T1]: Control AKA Ctrl
Applied: A,B,C,D,E,F,G and replicated 4 times
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Treatment 2 [T2], Grower Standard 2 AKA GS2:
Applied: A,B,C,D,E,F,G and replicated 4 times
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Treatment 3 [T3]:
Applied: A,B,C,D,E,F,G and replicated 4 times
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Treatment 4 [T4]:
Applied: A,B,C,D,E,F,G and replicated 4 times
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Treatment 5 [T5]:
Applied: A,B,C,D,E,F,G and replicated 4 times
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• Foliar Applications (Apps. A-G; Trts. 2-5).
• 7 (seven) total as: A,B,C,D,E,F,G
• Foliar applications were made on: 5/17/2018 (App. A), 5/24/2018 (App. B), 5/31/2018 (App. C), 6/7/2018 (App. D), 6/14/2018 (App. E), 6/21/2018 (App. F) and 6/28/2018 (App. G).
• These foliar applications were made with a hand-held boom (CO2 operated, 40 PSI) fitted with three nozzles
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The percentage (%) severity of bacterial spot (0 = no symptoms…..100% = dead plants) was evaluated on 60 plants (1 row side) of each plot on 6/7/2018, 6/14/2018, 6/21/2018 and 6/28/2018.
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All fruit in each plot were harvested on 7/2/2018 and counted and weighed (lb).
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All harvested fruit were graded into six (6) categories and based on size using USDA guidelines (1 1/9 bu.box, 20 to 30 lb):
• Jumbo - 3 3/4 inch diam., 3 1/2inch length (45 count and fewer).
• Extra Large - 3 1/2 inch diam, 3 1/2 inch length (46-55 count).
• Large - 3 1/4 inch diam., 3 inch length (56-70 count).
• Medium - 3 inch diam., 3 inch diam., 2 1/2 inch length (71-85 count).
• Small - 2 1/2 inch diam., 2 inch length (86-110 count).
• Trash
The percentage (%) of fruit in each of the six categories was then calculated.
It is important to note that the USDA recommendations for sizing are a guideline and there are variations of grading amongst growers. For example, pepper may be graded as follows:
• Jumbo - 3 1/2 inch diam. and larger.
• Extra Large - 3 inch diam., 3 1/2 inch length.
• Large -2 1/2 inch diam.,3 inch length.
• Medium- 2 inch diam., 2 1/2 inch length.
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• This trial was conducted in open field at the Better Crops Research Farm: Block 11, Section N, Beds 1-7.
• Each plot was 30 ft in length x 2 beds (30 ft length x 12 ft width).
• Each plot had 120 plants and each treatment was replicated four (4) times.
• Treatments were arranged in Beds 2, 3, 5 and 6.
• These treatment beds were separated by an untreated buffer rowsin Beds 1, 4 and 7.
• Plastic beds (32 inch top, 6 inch tall) were prepared on a 6 ft row spacing.
• Bell pepper (cv. revolution) were transplanted in two row/bed (12 inch plant spacing) on 4/19/2018.
• Plants were maintained at a commercial level with both fungicide (twice weekly applications), insecticide (VYDATE and BT) and fertilzer (liquid fertilizer through the drip every other day).
Objectives: To demonstrate the capacity of Vegro® to improve the efficacy of the fungicides at helping to reduce the Bacterial spots on Pepper and also to promote a more natural agriculture. Main parameters monitored for this study: Pressure disease (severity); Yield (weight & fruit counts) and fruit size distribution.
For a better view of the graphs and charts, reposition your mobile device into landscape mode.
How Vegro® helps to improve the efficacy of the fungicides against the Bacterial spots disease on Bell peppers.
Higher are the bars, bad it is, and brownish colors are without any Vegro®'s presence and the opposite in greenish colors.
Monitored by the degree of presence in%
Rate of Bacterial Spots severity in % and at the ultimate harvest (H4):
When compared to [T1], Vegro® shows a net contribution of -13% Bacterial spots presence when compared to [T1] and -25% when combined with other fungicides.
Also there is strong consistency between the harvests (H1,H2,H3,H4), since the first harvest the results are already obvious and getting confirmed until the end with even more significant differences.
This graph is about to demonstrate the efficacy of Vegro® to help at reducing the Bacterial Spot disease. Important to note that, [T4] is [T2] but combined with Vegro®. The results shows a reduction of -14% by comparison with [T1]. But this means also that the net contribution of the fungicides (Manzate max+Kocide 2000+Bravo Wstk) are of about -1% when compared to [T3] (Vegro® added to T1). These results shows clearly the interest in using Vegro®. Also it shows that a program combining simply [T1] + Vegro® + (0-28-26) might be an interesting treatment to try... "H" means the number of Harvests, H1 for Harvest 1 and etc
In comparison to the control [T1] (no fungicides):
In comparison to the control [T1]
When [T2] is compared to [T3]:
This graph shows clearly the benefit and interest in using Vegro® combined or not with fungicides.
In comparison to the control [T1]:
When [T2] is compared to [T3]:
Vegro® shows here its ability to produce more quality fruits. Note that [T3] Vegro® with no fungicides, produces more weight count to any other treatments after [T5]
RESULTS:
MAIN FACTS:
Fruit grade considered for this trial: Jumbo - 3 3/4 inch diam., 3 1/2inch length (45 count and fewer), Extra Large - 3 1/2 inch diam, 3 1/2 inch length (46-55 count), Large - 3 1/4 inch diam., 3 inch length (56-70 count), Medium - 3 inch diam., 3 inch diam., 2 1/2 inch length (71-85 count), Small - 2 1/2 inch diam., 2 inch length (86-110 count), Trash. It is important to note that USDA fruit size grade is less restrictive (Ref here on grey zone at fruit grading)
By order:
Here under the most marketable sizes from Jumbo's, XL, L and M by main treatments:
Best Packout ratio
[T5] Vegro + Fungicides
If by treatment we add, small and trash together, we obtain:
[T5] Best
Less waste
The correlation between unit and weight count and now with the fruit size, it brings the benefits to another level here. Best treatment is [T5] Vegro+fungicides, followed very closely by [T3] Vegro® with NO Fungicides.