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 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.
|
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