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On 09/01/2018 we published an entry about a trial in Tomato Moruno and the Tagete herbaceous plant that we carried out in the Buen Retiro Park in Madrid. This historic place is home to the so-called «Estufas del Retiro» nursery where there is a collection of 19 unique greenhouses in Spain. In this emblematic place, Ficosterra had the privilege of conducting a tomato trial, Moruno de Aranjuez variety and in Tagetes.
We tell you more details and graphic documents of the process after one year, although we can say that our products TRIPLED the production and improved, surprisingly, the quality of tomatoes. In the video and subsequent graphics, you can contrast the data.
The research effort of Francisco Javier Spalla, responsible for many years of the Estufas Nursery of El Retiro, allowed us to carry out this trial in the municipal Huerto. The objective was to know the growth and evolution of tomato seeds by applying our Ficosterra-g seaweed bokashi and the Ficosagro biostimulant against a universal substrate and worm humus. In this historic park of Madrid, they did not know the effects of the application of algae on crops.
This research project was executed under the technical guidelines of Ficosterra and coordinated by Spalla with the support of the technicians of the CIE (Center of Information and Environmental Education of the Retreat) and the General Directorate of Green Heritage of the Environment and Mobility Area of the City of Madrid.
Alejandro Martínez, technical manager of Ficosterra, together with the municipal technicians
Location, material and test method
The test was carried out in greenhouse 13 of the municipal facilities of the Retiro Park, under standard parameters. Started on March 8 and ended on August 3, 2017, used as material:
Seed tray and 44 alveoli trays (peeled)
Tomato seeds (variety Moruno de Aranjuez) and tajete seeds
- Coconut fiber, vermiculite, and mature manure
- Earthworm Humus (National Brand)
- German universal substrate
- Seaweed Bokashi Ficosterra-g and Ficosagro Biostimulant
Description of substrates and evolutionary data
- The seeds are planted on 03/08/2017 and the last tomatoes are finished harvesting on 08/03/2017, the date on which we end the trial.
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| Substrate Characteristics | Nursery 21/03/2017 | Sprouting 04/04/17 | Soil 26/04/17 | First tomatoes 06/06 and 27/06/17 |
Nº 1 Universal German substrate | Nursery21/03/2017The greatest germination speed comparing 2 and 3Visual aspect: biggest seedling size | Sprouting 04/04/1790% of the germination rate sprouted a few days before the restThey experienced fast growth and sprouting. Large, crooked, and tired sprouts. | Soil 26/04/17At the time of taking the soil, the seedlings showed feral stalks, deformed, low quality, few being straight or vigorous.It is difficult for the soil to adapt to the weather. It has less resistance to the stress of moving and the wet weather. That said, it was also the first to flower. | Primeros tomates06/06 y 27/06/17Had tomatoes before 2 or 3.The evolution after 06/27/17 will decline as soon as they hit the specified number of productions: – 8 productive plants (9 with the ability to produce) 36 tomatoes | +
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Nº 2 Handmade substrate 40% H. of earthworm + 10% vermiculite + 50% coconut fabric | Semillero21/03/2017Not germinated as of 03/21/2017 | Repicado 04/04/1730% of the germination rate possessed shorter and more vigorous stalks, slightly more colorful | Suelo 26/04/17Correctly adapted to the soil and weather and it gained vigor in its growth.Flowered at the same time as 3. | Primeros tomates06/06 y 27/06/17The first tomatoes appeared some days after Nº1 & Nº3.The change in production until 06/27/17 was superior to 1 but inferior to 3: – 8 productive plants (9 with the ability to produce): 46 tomatoes | +
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Nº 3 Ficosterra’s homemade substrate 40% bokashi seaweed + 10% vermiculita + 50% coconut fabric | Semillero21/03/2017Reduced germination rate.Visual aspect: smaller seedling sizes than 1, more intense color, straighter and darker stalks More resistant aspect | Repicado 04/04/1770% of the germination rate had less growth than the control at the same time as Nº2Vigorous and strong stalks with a more intense color than Nº 1 & Nº2. | Suelo 26/04/17Correctly adapted to the soil and weather and it gained vigor in its growth, with quality and fat and strong stalksFlowered at the same time as Nº 2 | Primeros tomates06/06 y 27/06/17The first tomatoes appeared after 1 and before 2The change in production is the best compared to the others:: – 8 productive plants (9 with the ability to produce) + 1 with delayed development: 90 tomatoes | +
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SAMPLE IMAGES
Detalle grosor de los tallos
The conclusions
The testimonies of the technicians responsible for the test are clear in this regard and this is stated in the video that we have offered: there is a clear increase in production in the control ficosterra (No. 3) compared to other substrates.
Although the evolutionary process of the German substrate plant (No. 1) has always been ahead of the rest, this has not resulted in increased fruit production.
Ecological substrates of earthworm humus (No. 2) and ficosterra-g algae (No. 3) have undergone an even evolution, but the results obtained have been different, reaching the algae substrate an “unbeatable” production in the words of the technician municipal.