THE NOVEL APPROACH OF FARMING.

THE NOVEL APPROACH OF FARMING.

Evaluation of performance of ferti-activator Sanbio EPSOMIT on the durum wheat variety `Monastir´ in Tunisia

Béjà, Tunisia (August 08, 2018) – Durum wheat production in Tunisia is an important part of agricultural production. Tunisia wants to achieve stable production of cereals, especially wheat. Cereals cultivation in Tunisia is still dependent on climatic conditions and is subject to severe droughts and suffers from problems of yield, quality and production costs.

The purpose of this study is to assess the performance and economic profitability of the use of Sanbio EPSOMIT in the wheat variety ´Monastir´ and to study its effects on the development and protection of plants against fungal diseases and biotic and abiotic stress and on wheat production and quality.

This project is being carried out within the framework of the program for the technological and economic development of cereals in Tunisia and the collaboration between COCEBLE COOPERATIVE CENTRALE DU BLE (Tunisia), SANBOS GmbH (Germany) and SGDAI Société Générale de Développement Agricole et Industriel (Tunisia).

1. Materials

Location: City of Béjà – Governorate of Béjà, Tunisia

Farmer: Kamel Bedwihesch

Annual rainfall: 600 mm

Product: Sanbio EPSOMIT, manufactured by SANBOS GmbH, Germany

Table 1. Product presentation of Sanbio EPSOMIT

Product name Composition Description Application
Sanbio EPSOMIT MgO + SO3 (18.2 + 35) Magnesium sulphate heptahydrate, activated by SANBIO  Biocatalytical Stimulation Technology Fertilizer and biological activator (certified in France, Germany, EC, USA)Stimulation of plant growth and immunityBetter protection against fungal diseases and biotic and abiotic stressBetter control of factors favorable to plant growthBetter germination and growth of vegetation and development of roots and shootsBetter mobilization and assimilation of nutrientsEarly flowering and maturationIncreased production and improved quality Dosage: 1 kg / ha in 200-500 l of water   No. of application: 1-2   Mode of application: Foliar spray   Stage of application: 3-5 leaf stage  

2. Methods and results

Table 2. Methods and results

Data Control (untreated) Lot 1 (Epsomit 1x) Lot 2 (Epsomit 2x)
Durum wheat variety Monastir Monastir Monastir
Area 1 ha 1 ha 1 ha
Density 200 kg 200 kg 200 kg
Date de seeding 22/11/2017 22/11/2017 22/11/2017
Soil preparation 3 ploughing 3 ploughing 3 ploughing
Fertilizer 150 kg DAP 150 kg DAP 150 kg DAP
Ammonitrate 600 kg 600 kg 600 kg
Herbicides 1 chemical 1 chemical 1 chemical
Fungicide treatment 2 1 0
Stage of application of Sanbio Epsomit Ear emergence Ear emergence Ear emergence
Date of application of Sanbio EPSOMIT 15/03/2018 15/032018 + 31/03/2018
Dosage of Sanbio EPSOMIT 1 kg / ha 2x 1 kg / ha
Mode of application Foliar spray Foliar spray
Average annual rainfall 600mm 600mm 600mm
Date of harvest 20/06/2018 20/06/2018 20/06/2018
Yield q/ha) 48.3 52.8 56.1

Figure 1. Timeline of season

Figure 2. Yield [q/ha]

3. Fungicide application

The control plot was treated twice with fungicides for protection against cryprogamous diseases (Fusariose, Yellow Rust, Brown Rust, Rihzoctone, Septoria, Oidium, …).

Plot 1 was treated with fungicides only one time. 

Plot 2 was not treated with fungicides.

On all plots no disease incidence was observed throughout the complete growing season.

4. Conclusion

Sanbio Epsomit has positive effects on plant defense and production. After the first few days of Sanbio Epsomit it was noticed a good development of plants, good leaf vegetation and vigor of the treated plots compared to the control plot.

After a single application of 1 kg of Sanbio Epsomit in the plot of Lot 1 the production was increased by 450 kg/ha. In the plot 2 was made two treatments of 1 kg/ha and increased the production by 780 kg/ha compared to the untreated control lot. The quality of the wheat at the plots treated by Sanbio EPSOMIT is better than the quality of the control plot.

The plot 2 was not treated with fungicide pesticides. Thanks to two preventive treatments by Sanbio EPSOMIT the plants were protected against cryprogamous diseases (Fusariose, Yellow Rust, Brown Rust, Rihzoctone, Septoria, Oidium, …). There was no breakout of plant diseases observed. Regardless of the number of Sanbio EPSOMIT applications, this product is very efficient and technically and economically viable.

Picture 1. Consultation at site

Picture 2. Treated plot 1 without disease incidence

Picture 3. Second application of Sanbio EPSOMIT at plot 2

Picture 4. Harvesting