Zander: a key component on the restoration of exhausted rice paddies to fertility for the cultivation of tropical fruit.

In May 2005 the Zander Corporation was invited by Fresh Studio, NEH Philippines to collaborate in a trial to cultivate fruit on a site that had previously supported rice crops. 

The soil was heavy, impermeable clay and was characterised by very low organic content and poor nutrient retention. Traditionally methods of sustaining crops such as bananas and pineapples involved the application of large amounts of mineral fertiliser. This had adverse consequences for fruit quality and profitability – overriding concerns for the participating farmers in this otherwise successful co-operative. The threat of pollution downstream caused by the inability of the soil to hold nutrients was of increasing concern.

In April 2006 Zander was used in the substrate to support an experimental plantation of bananas and pineapples. The addition of mineral fertiliser was greatly reduced and data for growth parameters indicated that Zander amended plants performed well against those grown with mineral fertilisers alone. Moreover the incidence of diseases such as Sigatoka and Moko were significantly reduced. A much larger proportion of the crop from Zander amended plants were top grade.

Trials are under way to test the effectiveness of Zander liquid extract as a foliar feed to maintain levels of potassium, magnesium and phosphorus, also to assess the effect of Zander mycorrhiza on new plantations.

The successful outcome of the trials will have important implications for the co-operative farmers in terms of produce quality and revenue.

Zander 2 (10 litres per plant)  and pineapples. The Zander amended designs look very promising and first harvest is expected at the end of May 2007.