The cucurbits They are a family of plants great ethnobotanical importanceThey occupy second place in Spain and Europe in terms of horticultural production. Specifically, Almería is the region with the largest greenhouse vegetable production area in the European Union.The approximately 30.000 hectares of greenhouses are mainly dedicated to the production of solanaceous and cucurbits, including the latter, important horticultural crops such as cucumber, zucchini, melon and watermelon, with 5.023, 7.439, 2.589 and 10.524 hectares, respectively (Source: Yearbook of Agricultural Statistics 2019. Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Sustainable Development. Regional Government of Andalusia).
Crop development may be affected by biotic factors (action of living beings) or abiotic (action of physical and chemical factors, such as drought, heat, cold, nutritional deficiencies or phytotoxicities, etc.). One of the great challenges of this type of cultivation is the pest and disease management. Its presence is largely related to climate and cultivation practices. This highlights the importance of improve the plant's natural defense system, since our crops do not always develop in optimal and ideal conditions.
El development of resistance by certain phytophagous insects and certain pathogens, caused by the Excessive use of generic pesticides and improper cultivation practices (abandonment of infected crops, lack of rotation, etc.), combined with the increasing loss of active ingredients for the control of pests and diseases and regulatory requirements in the field of fertilizers, has led to the development of alternative inputs, such as the use of beneficial organisms or Biostimulants to improve tolerance to various stress factors, all with the aim of being able to reduce the use of pesticides.
In order to Reduce damage caused by external agents, increase crop resistance to stress and help them recover, a Cultivator we have developed the biostimulant SPIRALIS ECO Long Life, fruit of the innovative line of R&D&I: Natural Defensive Biotechnology.
This fertilizer acts mainly as a preventive and regenerative. Induces and enhances an endogenous local and systemic increase in molecules with high defensive capacity, that is, it produces a bioprotective effect against external stress factors. The synthesized endogenous defensive molecules induce structural changes in the cell walls of plants at the level of their lignification, constituting a physical barrier against various stress factors.
In addition to improving the plant's defensive capabilities, SPIRALIS ECO Long Life significantly improves post-harvest life protecting the fruits from rot, deterioration or other alterations.
During the 2017-18 campaign, various trials were carried out in Almería with SPIRALIS ECO Long Life In cucurbits, production increases of 26% and 28% were achieved for Dutch cucumber and Piel de Sapo melon, respectively, mainly due to improved crop health, which translated into increased fruit size and, therefore, greater fruit weight.
This article presents in more detail the results obtained for the cultivation of zucchini. To carry out the test, different elementary plots of identical surface were established, on which, weekly treatments of SPIRALIS ECO Long Life throughout the entire crop cycle, compared to their respective controls, without treatment (witness).
As for the results evaluated, in the Sinatra variety, a 5,2% increase in the thickness of zucchini from treatment with SPIRALIS ECO Long Life (Figure 1), which resulted in a 14,8% more weight of these fruits compared to the control treatment (Figure 2). In addition, a reduction in the incidence of disease by 3% compared to the control (Figure 3).
In a similar experience with the SV9519 Monsanto variety, it is worth highlighting the 15% reduction in non-commercial fruits in the case of treatment SPIRALIS ECO Long Life with respect to its corresponding control (Figure 4).
La average production of zucchini in Almería during the 2017-18 campaign was 5,8 kg / m2 (Source: Yearbook of Agricultural Statistics 2019. Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Sustainable Development. Regional Government of Andalusia) whose average price at origin was listed on 0,52 € / kg (Source: Price and Market Observatory. Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Sustainable Development. Andalusian Government). Thanks to the use of SPIRALIS ECO Long Life were achieved productive increases of 0,86 kg/m2, which translated into economic terms meant €0,44/m2 more economic benefit.
Extrapolating these results to the surface level per hectare, the continued and periodic use of SPIRALIS ECO Long Life Throughout the entire zucchini growing cycle, it would return a significant benefit to the farmer, which would more than justify the cost of the treatment..
