Interpretation of Four Test & Analysis Reports
on the Quality Specifications of Mandarin Orange

In 2007, Hunan Agricultural University, in conjunction with Lu Xi County Mandarin Orange Research Institute, conducted a Field Tests on mandarin orange, on 5 plots of farm-land in Lu Xi County, Xiangxi Autonomous Region, Hunan Province, where Greentech Humic Acid Based Organic Liquid Fertilizer (The NutriGrow) had been applied throughout the experiment. 
 
The following 4 organizations have contributed the reports on test and inspection of the experiment:

Agriculture and Chemical Test Centre of Hunan Academy of Sciences (HAS) and Subtropical Agricultural Ecology Research Institute of China Academy of Sciences (CAS):  Test Analysis Report on the Quality Specifications of Mandarin Orange;

Hunan Lu Xi County Mandarin Orange Research Institute (LXI): Conclusion Report of “Effects of Humic Acid Based Organic Liquid Fertilizer on the Growth and Quality of Fruits of Mandarin Oranges” ; and

Changsha Institute: Summary Report of the Experiment Study.

The following overall conclusions could be derived from the Reports after careful study and scrutiny:

The Humic Acid Based Organic Liquid Fertilizer (the NutriGrow) had obvious effect on the improvement of quality of fruits and improvement of yields.

1. Actual Observation and Inspection in the Field Was in Conformity with Test Data Gathered during the Field Tets.

LXI report revealed 3 favourite aspects of development : thickness of leaves: an increment of 0.009 mm; number of lateral fruits size: an increment of more than 4%; and better and stronger growth of treetops  (branch tips) in Autumn.  It was not obvious on the growth of branch in length. Direct visual inspection in the field was tally with the test results.

The above had indicated NutriGrow had higher efficiency, providing various nutrition including trace elements needed by plants. The photosynthesis had been strengthened to produce more nutrients for the enhancement of yield and quality of fruits. 

2. Taste-test Was in Conformity with Quality Test on Fruits

Good taste, high sweetness was tally with the calculated results done by the HAS. The amount of soluble fructose was, in comparison, up by 0.88 percentage point, content of vitamin C increased by 6.58 mg per 100mg, and Titrable Acidity increased by 0.14 percentage point.

CAS report had the same opinion of significant improvement on the quality of fruits, with total fructose content increased by 1  percentage point and the average selenium content in the fruit pulp reached 0.138 ppm, a rich standard, beneficial to human health.

3. Higher Yields, Higher Rate of Fruits with larger Size and Substantial Increase in Economic Benefits on Harvest.

LXI report showed that the average yield increment was 1,860 Kg per Hectare, in a range of 7.5%. The rate of fruits in the large size category increased by 13.5 percentage points. Hence, a farmer’s income could have increased by US $ 595 per Hectare, if taking exchange rate of 6.8. and at the same time, as compared with regular fertilization of 45% NPK compound fertilizer, the cost of fertilizer required per Hectare was also reduced considerably.

4. More Meticulous Tests Required.

It is proposed to have further analytical tests on harvested fruits with NutriGrow applied to obtain more data.

5. Suggested Methods of Application

Based on the application methods adopted during the Field Tests by Changsha Institute and LXI, recommendations are as follows:
(Taking 925 plants/Hectare. Quantity of fertilizer used is to be correlated with number of plants per Hectare.)

a ) Seedling

Foliage Spray:   4 – 5 serves, 750 gm/Ha/each serve
Dilution ratio: 400: 1

Watering (trenching):  3 – 4 serves, 37.5 Kg/Ha/each serve
Dilution ratio: 50 ~ 100: 1

b ) Young Tree
Foliage Spray:   4 – 5 serves, 750 gm/Ha/each serve
Dilution ratio: 400: 1
Watering (trenching):  2 – 3 serves, 48 Kg/Ha/each serve
Dilution ratio: 50 ~ 100: 1

c ) Mature Tree
Foliage Spray:    3 – 4 serves, 3 kg/Ha/each serve
Dilution ratio: 400: 1
Watering (trenching):  
2 – 3 serves, 180– 295 Kg/Ha/each serve
Dilution ratio: 50 – 100: 1
(to be controlled at 190gm – 300gm of original Undiluted NutriGrow fertilizer per plant, the actual quantity for each application depends on site and  kind or variety of fruit trees etc. It is suggested customers if in doubt，to consult local agronomist or authorized distributor.) 

Prescription:

a ) For Seedling and Young Tree: high nitrogen formulation (e.g. Hi-N #2 formulation 13-6-8)

b ) For Mature Tree: high potassium formulation, but consisting of certain amount of phosphorous with Hi-Nitrogen and much higher potassium (e.g. Hi-K #2 formulation 10-6-13).