MicroSoil a Natural Concentrate of Beneficial Microorganisms

A Natural Concentrate of Beneficial Soil Microorganisms

Effect of Microsoil on
Production of Peppers
in Winter Greenhouses
Conducted in Shangdong, China		 China

Purpose
The experiment studies how Microsoil improves soil conditions for fertilizer use and demonstrates how Microsoil enhances the growth and yield of produce under the same growth and management conditions.

Materials and Methods
Testing variety: "Yellow goat horn" Pepper
Date of seeding: September 5, 1996 - December 8, 1996
Date of transplanting: December 8, 1996
Date of harvesting: May 29, 1997
Pepper seedlings were separated into two greenhouses. In one greenhouse, MicroSoil was added to the seedlings, while in the other greenhouse, seedlings were not treated with MicroSoil. The untreated seedlings were used as a reference (control). Both greenhouses have been used to plant peppers continuously over a three-year period. The area of each greenhouse is 480M2. The management and growth conditions in each greenhouse are the same.

MicroSoil was added to the greenhouse soil during the experiments. It was first applied on January 26, 1997. The second application was March 5, 1997.

Results
Below, Table 1 shows that the vegetative development of treated peppers was enhanced significantly. MicroSoil increased the number of effective (large) leaves per plant and, therefore, increased the area for photosynthesis
MicroSoil treated "Yellow goat horn" Peppers (36 in.) - Compare to photo on right (only 18 in.) same day normal growth
MicroSoil Treated
36in. "Yellow goat horn" Peppers
Compared to Normal Growth of only 18 in.
(same day as photo to the right)

"Yellow goat horn" Peppers - 18 in Normal Growth
"Yellow goat horn" Peppers -
18 in. Normal Growth
Table 1. Effects of MicroSoil on Vegetative Growth of Greenhouse Peppers

Treatment

Date of

# Total

#Effective

Plant

Rootstock in
 

Measurement

Leaves

(Lg) Leaves

Height (cm)

Diameter(cm)
MicroSoil

Mar 28 '96

328

201

46

1.4
Reference

Mar 28 '97

316

156

45

1.4
MicroSoil

May 27 '97

618

309

112

  
Reference

May 27 '97

596

264

100

  
Note: # leaves was the average number of all plants. The rootstock was measured in diameter above the ground.
Table 2 shows clearly that MicroSoil increased the yield and improved the quality of peppers which resulted in higher economical value.
Table 2. Effects of MlcroSoll on Yield and Quality in Greenhouse Peppers
Treatment

Yield

Economical Value ($)

   Taste Quality
MicroSoil

3,569

15,875

   Spicy aroma and flavor
Reference

2,895

11,725

   Spicy

Conclusions

Applying MicroSoil increases the yield and enhances the efficiency of photosynthesis for the production of pepper plants. MicroSoil improves soil conditions for fertilizer use, decomposes excessive harmful substances and enhances air permeability in soil. From the viewpoint of pepper growers, peppers have a desirable aroma and flavor when soybean meal fertilizer is added during cultivation. MicroSoil has similar characteristics to soybean meal fertilizer and also gives peppers a desirable aroma and flavor.

There are many greenhouses in the village where the experiment was conducted. The soil in the greenhouse treated with MicroSoil had the highest yield of peppers in the village. Mr. Liu who applied MicroSoil on peppers had a higher yield and income than the other growers. Therefore, we conclude, using MicroSoil on peppers cultivated in greenhouses, is an important factor in increase yield.