Mountain Valley MD Holdings Inc. (MVMD) recently reported positive results from ongoing citrus field trials in Brazil for its Agrarius™ signaling technology. Agrarius™ is designed to organically increase crop yields, reduce fertilizer and pesticide usage and enhance plant health.
MVMD has been working with a client-directed third-party agricultural partner, FARM ATAC, in Brazil to assess the impact of the application of the Agrarius™ product on mature citrus orchards. FARM ATAC has completed evaluations on Hamlin and Valencia oranges.
HAMLIN
Agrarius™-treated Hamlin orchards demonstrated improved plant condition and a productivity increase of approximately 125 boxes (15%) per hectare. Juice yield analysis showed that the treated oranges required 20 fewer boxes to produce one ton of juice compared to the control, resulting in an approximate total yield increase of 22%. Independent agronomists also observed a visual reduction in symptoms associated with huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening disease.
VALENCIA
The Agrarius™-treated Valencia block achieved an average of 835 boxes per hectare, compared to 559 boxes in the control, reflecting a 49% yield increase. Treated trees exhibited stronger vigor and canopy density, consistent with improved nutrient uptake and photosynthetic activity.
YOUNG-TREE TRIALS UNDERWAY
Two additional trials are nearing completion in younger citrus orchards, with preliminary observations appearing consistent or more favorable than the mature tree trials.
The company believes that one of the most compelling results from its Brazil citrus trials is the observed reduction in visible symptoms of HLB.
“The early results we are seeing in Brazil are consistent with prior trials we have conducted and, if sustained across broader programs, suggest that Agrarius™ could represent the first scalable organic tool to help mitigate the impact of citrus greening disease while simultaneously improving orchard productivity and plant health,” said Dennis Hancock, president and chief executive officer of MVMD.
Source: Business Wire
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