Habanero Chili Peppers
An Examination of Pepper Production in the Presence and Absence of AZOMITE™
Study conducted by D.Fodge, PhD
DF International, LLC
Overall Plan
- AZOMITE impact on Seed Germination
- AZOMITE impact on Height, Canopy Circumference and Fruit Yield of
Mature Plants
Experimental (Germination Phase)
- Seeds of Habanero chili peppers were purchased and planted in pots.
- Capsicum Chinese Jacquin
- Three (3) test groups were established:
- Control (7% builders sand)
- AZO-1 (@ 3.5% weight of soil),
- AZO-2 (@ 7% weight of soil)
- 9 pots/Group, each was seeded with 4 seeds/pot
- Each pot was filled with 2/3 Miracle Grow Enriched Potting Mix
(www.miracle-gro.com) and 1/3 Vermiculite. Potting Mix (0.21-0.07-0.14,
NPK) is a slow-release fertilizer derived from ammonium nitrate,
ammonium phosphate, calcium phosphate and potassium sulfate.
- Placed 24 inches beneath GroLux lights and next to large southwest
facing window at avg. temp. = 72 oF. Light/Dark cycle = 12 each.
| Habanero Seedlings, 22 days |
| Parameter |
0% Azo |
3.6% Azo |
7.15% Azo |
Totals |
| # Pots with seedlings |
8 of 9 |
7 of 9 |
7 of 9 |
22/27, 81.5% have seedlings |
| # seedlings |
16 of 27 |
10 of 27 |
16 of 28 |
42/82, 51% germinated |
Seed Germination, Conclusion
- Control pots yielded more seedlings than lowest dose of AZOMITE™ and as many seedlings as the highest dose of AZOMITE™.
- Were the experiment to be repeated, we would initiate the test differently:
we would:
- Roll Test seeds in AZOMITE™ and then plant them.
- Roll Control seeds in builders sand and then plant them (Controls).
Growth Phase Portion of Experimental Plan
Seedling plants were allowed to grow undisturbed for a few weeks, and
then they were planted in the garden when the outside temperature was
consistently in the 80s of
Experimental Plan for Growth Test
- At the 14th week, plants were assessed for growth characteristics
and the largest and healthiest plants were identified for the planting
phase of the test. 5 AZOMITE™ (AZO-2) and 5 Control plants were planted in a sunny flower bed. A
random scheme was used in the arrangement.
- Heights of the individual plants were recorded just before they
were transferred from the individual pots to the soil garden site.
- Throughout the 10 weeks that the plants were in the garden, they
were watered about every 3rd day, if it did not rain. Each plant received
approximately ½ gallon of water each time.
| Average Number of Chili Peppers: Control vs. AZOMITE™ |
| |
Wk 20 |
Wk 23 |
Wk 24 |
Wk 25.5 |
| Control |
0 |
5.6 |
11.8 |
15.6 |
| AZOMITE™ |
1.4 |
22.4 |
37
Picked 1st ripe chili |
41.4 |
Timing of Pepper Appearance |
- It is clear that the plants on the AZOMITE™ group set fruit much earlier and at larger numbers/plant than
plants in the Control group.
- At week 24, there are 3.13-fold more peppers/plant in the AZOMITE™ than Control group.
|
 |
Conclusions of Study
- AZOMITE™ stimulated both heights
and canopy circumferences in the test group, and they were greater,
12% and 17% respectively, than the Control (untreated) group. However,
the standard deviations overlapped, and thus the differences were
not statistically difference.
- While fruit production varied considerably from plant-to-plant,
pepper production in the AZOMITE™ group was 3- to 4-fold greater than in the Control group. Moreover,
the peppers appeared as much as 2 weeks earlier on the plants in the AZOMITE™ group than the Controls.
- The number of replications were small but statistical differences
were detected for fruit production, and the numerical differences
were substantial. An inexperienced observer could see the differences.
- The economic consequences of using AZOMITE™ as a soil remineralizer for chili pepper production would appear to
be substantial. Thus, it is recommended that further testing be conducted.
|
| Bookmark, Share or Email this page |
Home
To print this page in Adobe Acrobat format
Click Here
|
