Effects of Foliar Application of Grower's Secret Professional on Strawberry

“EFFECTS OF FOLIAR APPLICATIONS OF GROWER’S SECRET

PROFESSIONAL APPLIED TO STRAWBERRY”

Research by David HoldenHolden Research and Consulting

10/14/2012

“EFFECTS OF FOLIAR APPLICATIONS OF GROWER’S SECRET PROFESSIONAL APPLIED

TO STRAWBERRY”

In the Grower’s Secret Professional treatment plot….. “The net back to the grower after costs of approximately $6.00 per tray were removed (labor for picking, carton and tray costs, transportation to the cooler and cooling costs) was $965.00* per acre” over the same treatment without the Grower’s Secret Professional.

David Holden, Holden Research and Consulting

Who is David Holden?

•Consultant to growers, manufacturers, crop commissions and distribution.•Holden Research & Consulting specializes in production related field research in traditional and organic farming with nutrients and pest management. •Over 35 years of experience as an agronomist and Pest Control Advisor (PCA). •Has completed over 1,000 field research projects on over 100 crops for a variety of agricultural manufacturers.•Currently consulting on approximately 10,000 acres for growers of avocados, berries citrus, field grown vegetables, and wine grapes.

Page 3

SUMMARY

– The addition of Grower’s Secret Professional to the standard fertility program significantly increased yields and quality

– Higher Cumulative Marketable Production– Higher Net Return ($965.00/a over same

treatment without Grower’s Secret Professional)– No negative effects on plants, no phytotoxicity,

no application issues

TEST PARAMETERS

• CROP: Strawberry (Bennicia commercial field)• LOCATION: Ventura County, California• DESIGN: Randomized Complete Block• PRODUCT: Grower’s Secret Professional (1.0 fl.oz./a)• APPLICATIONS: 6 applications (applied every 3-4 weeks

pre-bloom through mid March) with standard fertilizer application (SF)

• WATER VOLUME: Foliar, 25 gal./acre• PLOT SIZE: 10 plants per replicate, (6 replicates)

Page 5

Fruit Quality (Desiccation, Botrytis sp., Mucor sp.)

Marketable Production by Pick Day

SF = Standard fertility programDavid Holden, Holden Research and Consulting, 2012

SF + 3-18-18/Zinc 6.8 %+ GS ProSF + 3-18-18/Zinc 6.8% + GS Pro

Cumulative Marketable Production by Pick Day

SF = Standard fertility programDavid Holden, Holden Research and Consulting, 2012

Marketable Production Net Return by Pick Day

SF = Standard fertility programDavid Holden, Holden Research and Consulting, 2012

SF + 3-18-18/Zinc 6.8% SF + 3-18-18/Zinc 6.8% + GS Pro

Cumulative Marketable Production Net Return* by Pick Day

SF = Standard fertility programDoes not include cost of GS Professional ($105/a/season)David Holden, Holden Research and Consulting, 2012

SF + 3-18-18/Zinc 6.8% SF + 3-18-18/Zinc 6.8% + GS Pro

Marketable Utilization by Pick Day

SF = Standard fertility programDavid Holden, Holden Research and Consulting, 2012

SF + 3-18-18/Zinc 6.8% + GS Pro SF + 3-18-18/Zinc 6.8%

Mean Weight per Marketable Fruit by Pick Day

SF = Standard fertility programDavid Holden, Holden Research and Consulting, 2012

SF + 3-18-18/Zinc 6.8% + GS Pro

Cumulative Differential from Grower Standard Return

SF = Standard fertility programDavid Holden, Holden Research and Consulting, 2012

SF + 3-18-18/Zinc 6.8% + GS Pro SF + 3-18-18/Zinc 6.8%

Net Price per Flat Return to the Grower on Given Date

David Holden, Holden Research and Consulting, 2012

SUMMARY

When Grower’s Secret Professional is added to the standard fertility program on Strawberries…..

– It significantly increased yields and quality– Allowed higher cumulative marketable production– Allowed higher net return ($965.00/a over same

treatment without Grower’s Secret Professional)– Caused No negative effects on plants, no

phytotoxicity, no application issues

CONTACT INFORMATION

Charles T. Schiller, PhD.VP Product Management Phone: 925-787-5457Email: chucks@growerssecret.com

Jeff NewberryVP Sales, Distributors and Key Accounts Phone: 888-217-9426 ext. 205Email: jeffn@growerssecret.com

Kim MillerDirector of Sales, Commercial AgriculturePhone: 888-217-9426 ext 208Email: kimm@growerssecret.com

Corporate Offices: 785 Market St., Ste 600, San Francisco, CA, 94103

www.growerssecret.com

Page 13