Cantaloupe melon: +18% firmness and +155% fruit calcium with CALCIUM 40% PLUS — Holden Research, Arizona 2008-2010
Post-harvest losses and commercial rejections due to poor fruit firmness.
+18%
Firmeza del fruto
+155%
Calcio en fruto
Products certified CE 2018/848, NOP USDA and JAS — suitable for certified organic production
Trial protocol
Product / dose
Application timing
Methodology
ECOGANIC CALCIUM 40% PLUS applied at 1.0 gallon/acre in four applications, starting at first fruit set and repeating every 7 days for one month through subsurface drip irrigation. In 2010, ECOGANIC BOOST UNIVERSAL was added at 4 oz/acre per application to improve calcium uptake: 16 oz/acre total in the Wenden and Harquahala areas, 20 oz/acre in Welton due to higher environmental stress. Firmness measured by penetrometer (lbs of pressure) and fruit calcium by nutrient analysis (ppm). Shelf life assessed after 10 days at room temperature.
Source
Holden Research and Consulting — Arizona, EE. UU. Serie de ensayos 2008-2010 realizada con un productor comercial de melón. (2010)
Quantitative results
Values measured under real field conditions.
Firmeza del fruto (penetrómetro)
lbControl
5.99
Ecoganic
7.06
Gain
+18%
Calcio en fruto
ppmControl
55
Ecoganic
140
Gain
+155%
| Parameter | Unit | Control | Ecoganic | Gain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firmeza del fruto (penetrómetro) | lb | 5.99 | 7.06 | +18% |
| Calcio en fruto | ppm | 55 | 140 | +155% |
Visual comparison
Firmeza del fruto (penetrómetro) (lb)
+18%
Calcio en fruto (ppm)
+155%
Trial conclusions
Three seasons of trials with a commercial Arizona grower. Melons treated with ECOGANIC CALCIUM 40% PLUS measured 7.06 lbs of penetrometer pressure against 5.99 for the untreated control: 18% firmer. Fruit calcium content rose from 55 to 140 ppm, up 155%, which explains the result — calcium is the nutrient that builds the cell wall. Stored at room temperature for 10 days, treated melons held their structure while the control developed soft spots and signs of spoilage. Firmness is what decides whether a load is accepted or rejected.
Verified source
Holden Research and Consulting — Arizona, EE. UU. Serie de ensayos 2008-2010 realizada con un productor comercial de melón. — 2010
Validated by Ecoganic agronomic team · Francisco Tomás Krinner
Complete technical data
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