Békalta, Tunisia (February 28, 2016) – The production of sweet pepper in Tunisia suffers from major problems in terms of yield, quality and production costs. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of ferti-activator Sanbio EPSOMIT on productivity and production costs of sweet pepper.
This project is being carried out as part of the cooperation between Prof. Abdelmajid Memmi – Tunisia, SGDAI General Society for Agricultural and Industrial Development – Tunisia and SANBOS GmbH – Germany.
1. Experimental procedure
Table 1: Overview of the treatment parameters
| Responsible organization | Prof. Abdelmajid Memmi, 20 glasshouses, total area 20 ha |
| Location | Békalta, Tunisia  Figure 1. Map |
| Soil quality | clay and limestone |
| Climate conditions | very dry season in 2016 |
| Water supply | drip irrigation |
| Fertilizers, pesticides | None pesticides |
| Crop and plot | Sweet pepper |
| Experimental product | Sanbio EPSOMIT, manufactured by SANBOS GmbH, Germany |
| Dose | 1 kg/ha in 500 L water/ha |
| Seeding | 2015-09-15 |
| Application | 2016-01-20, BBCH 13, 1 application foliar spray |
| Harvest | 2016-02-15 |
Table 2. Product presentation of Sanbio EPSOMIT
| Product name | Composition | Description | Application |
| Sanbio EPSOMIT | MgO + SO3 (18.2 + 35) Magnesium sulphate heptahydrate, 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 shootsBetter mobilization and assimilation of nutrientsEarly flowering and maturationIncreased production and improved quality | Dosage: 1 kg / ha in 200-500 l of water No. of application: 1-2 Mode of application: Foliar spray Stage of application: 3-5 leaf stage |
Figure 2. Timeline of season
2. Results
Table 3: Productive performance
| Crop | Yield (t/ha) | Difference in yield between treated and untreated (%) |
| Control, untreated tunnel | 4 | |
| Sanbio EPSOMIT, treated tunnel | 6 | +50,0 |
Figure 3: Comparison of yield (t/ha)
Figure 4: Profitability of Sanbio EPSOMIT on sweet pepper (TND/ha)’
TND=Currency Tunisian Dinar
3. Photographs
Figure 5. The plants in the untreated tunnel (Control) show a lean growth and light-green to yellow leaves
Figure 6. The plants in the treated tunnel (EPSOMIT) show a strong vigor and dark-green leaves
Figure 7. The plants in the untreated tunnel (Control) suffering on Fusarium wilt …
Figure 8. … and loss
Figure 9. Healthy plants in the treated tunnel (EPSOMIT) and no Fusarium wilt disease
Figure 10. Early ripening and harvest of approx. 30 days was achieved in the treated tunnel (EPSOMIT) compared to the untreated tunnel (Control)
Figure 11. Nice sweet pepper fruits in the treated tunnel (EPSOMIT)
Figure 12. Huge surplus yield in the treated tunnel (EPSOMIT)
4. Conclusion
Sanbio EPSOMIT has shown very positive effects on plant vigor, resistance against Fusarium wilt disease, production and profitability. A few weeks after the first application of Sanbio EPSOMIT we found good vegetation, growth and vigor of plants in tunnels treated by Sanbio EPSOMIT compared to the control tunnels. After a single application of 1 kg of Sanbio EPSOMIT in experimental tunnels we increased the production of sweet pepper by +2 t/ha (+50%) compared to control tunnels. The plants in the untreated tunnels suffering much on Fusarium wilt disease while the plants in the treated tunnels are healthy. The return-of-investment (ROI) is 1:9.4. The harvest of the tunnels treated by Sanbio EPSOMIT was approx. 30 days earlier than that of the control tunnels.