The cultivation of glasshouse vegetables in Germany can be divided into three main products: tomatoes, field salad and cucumbers. Since 2003 the greenhouse acreage of these vegetables has grown continuously: tomatoes by 23.4%, salads by 4.5% and cucumbers by 17.5%.
1. Background
Biohof Aga was built in 2010 and is one of the most modern greenhouses in Europe. The organic farm is adapted for handicapped workers and collaborates with another farm that breeds chickens and collect eggs. Biohof Aga grows mainly organic tomatoes, cucumbers and salads, and sorts out the eggs coming from the farm. Biohof Aga is a production facility of the association “Lebenshilfe Werkstätten Gera gGmbH”.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of ferti-activator Sanbio PLANTA on productivity and storage stability of tomato variety ´Amaroso F1´.
2. Materials and methods
Table 1. Basic data
| Season | 2014-2015 |
| Location | Germany, State Thuringia, Gera-Aga  Picture 1: Production site |
| Organization | Biohof Aga |
| Organic standard | Naturland |
| Crop | Tomato |
| Variety | Amaroso F1 |
| Trial field | 1 block system, size 2 ha |
| Soil quality | 34-60 |
| Crop rotation | 2013: Cucumber 2014: Cucumber |
| Fertilization | Organic fertilizer only: compost, poultry dung |
| Pesticide | None |
| Irrigation | Drip irrigation |
| Pollination | Humblebee |
| Test product | Sanbio PLANTA, manufactured by SANBOS GmbH, Germany |
| Dosage | 1.5 kg/ha, 300 l water/ha |
| No. of applications | 1 |
| Date of planting | |
| Date of application | July |
| Date of harvest | September |
| Scoring | Yield, plant vigor, storage stability |
Table 2. Product presentation of Sanbio PLANTA
| Product name | Composition | Description | Application |
| Sanbio PLANTA | Activated blend of natural seaweed, nutrients, trace elements, selectively and adapted highly effective natural bacterial cultures and mycorrhiza fungi, activated by SANBIO Biocatalytical Stimulation Technology | Fertilizer and biological activator (certified in France, Germany, EC, USA)Stimulation of plant growth and immunityBetter protection against fungal diseases and biotic and abiotic stressBetter control of factors favorable to plant growthBetter germination and growth of vegetation and development of roots and shootsColonization of roots by beneficial microorganismsBetter mobilization and assimilation of nutrientsEarly flowering and maturationIncreased production and improved quality | Dosage: 1.5 kg / ha in 200-500 l of water No. of application: 1-2 Mode of application: Soil application Stage of application: 3-5 leaf stage |
3. Results
3.1 Yield
Table 2. Productive performance
| Treatment | Control (untreated lot) | PLANTA (treated lot) | |
| Ripening | – | 7 days earlier | |
| Plant vigor | Good | Very good | |
| Yield 2014 | kg/m2 | 34.6 | 41.2 |
| Yield 2015 | kg/m2 | 36.2 | 42.4 |
Figure 1. Total weight of harvest (kg/m2)
3.2 Plant vigor
Picture 2. Untreated rows 2014
Picture 3. Treated rows 2014
Picture 4. Untreated rows 2015
Picture 5. Treated rows 2015
3.3 Storage stability
Picture 6. 23.07.2015, day 0, storage temperature 25~35°C
Picture 7. 13.08.2015, day 21, storage temperature 25~35°C
Picture 7. 17.08.2015, day 25, storage temperature 25~35°C
Picture 8. 21.08.2015, day 29, storage temperature 25~35°C
Sanbio PLANTA has positive effects on storage stability and shelf life of tomato.
4. Conclusion
The present study shows significantly positive effects of SANBIO PLANTA on productive performance, plant health and sensitive parameter:
- Higher harvest (+15.1%)
- Earlier ripening (7 days earlier)
- Good plant vigor
- Larger roots
- Improved storage stability (tight skin, delayed mold and decay, enlarged shelf life.