We were able to realize the first real trials of the Humikal product family within the frameworks of joint projects with a few enthusiastic and challenge-seeking producers. Those, who have tried it, have committed themselves to the product family. The results speak for themselves.
We first tested the product on an experimental basis at the end of March 2023 on an “Érdi Bőtermő” type sour cherry orchard planted in 2015 with a 5*3 allotment. 550 kg of Humikal was applied to the drip line of trees manually, which was worked in a day later with a rotary cultivator. The orchard consisted of 44 rows, of which 24 rows were treated, and 20 rows were left untreated for control purposes. There was no need for washing in after application, nature did the job, as there was an abundance of evenly distributed rain during the months of April to May.
Irrigation was only needed directly one month before and after harvesting. After pollination we estimated a yield of 10-15 kg/tree, also with consideration to early fruit drop before ripening typical of sour cherry. Trees did not show any symptoms of deficiency after the stress from blooming, there were no signs of micro- and macro element deficiencies on the leaves. Plant protection treatments were supplemented with the application of the Humikal liquid product in a 5 litre/hectare dose per occasion. Humikal was applied together with fungicides and insecticides upon three further occasions after fruit setting. The most spectacular difference compared to previous years occurred in the second half of May: shrouds adjoined over the three-meter stem spacing already at the beginning of May, but we definitely did not expect that the five-meter row spacing left for tractors would also turn out to be insufficient.
The control area also developed well, but in terms of shoot growth it was behind the treated area.
Early fruit drop was repeated 2-3 weeks before harvesting.
Achieved benefits: fruits were reddening and developing uniformly, there was no need for rotational or double harvesting during manual picking. Fruits were in a good condition, suitable for harvesting for a long period. In spite of the signs of frosting, yield reached 20 kg per sour cherry tree. The “Érdi Bőtermő” type sour cherry has a good flavour and is perfect for consumption both fresh and pickled, however the flavour turned out to be particularly good this year, which could also be established on the basis of consumer feedback. The size of cherries was between 23-26 mm.
Sour cherry yields in the surrounding areas were around 5-7 ton/hectare, while we reached a yield of 10 ton/hectare.
The vitality of the orchard was maintained even after harvesting, previously observed shoot growth reached 80 cm.
- In spite of the 10 ton/hectare yield, the shrouds looked healthy,
- without any symptoms of stress,
- and with only a minimum amount of leaf drop during the final spraying on 15 August.