Back A. D. Paschoal
University of Sao Paulo, "Luiz de Queiroz" Agriculture College, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
Full Paper (PDF File: 188KB)
Abstract
Field investigations were conducted with citrus, since 1993, in Sao Paulo,
Brazil, on the use of Nature Farming and EM technology. EM cultures applied
to the soil (EMS), to plants (EMP) and to both plants and soil (EMPS) were
compared with the control (C). Under natural soil conditions, i.e., with
no fertilizer, no lime and no pesticide, yield of oranges and fruit quality
parameters were analyzed comparatively, after one and a half years from
the beginning of the experiment and after 18 EM applications. Statistical
analyses indicate highly significant differences (P < 0.05) in yield,
in treatments EMPS and EMS; relative percentage increases were 15% and
14% respectively. Regarding the EM treatments, higher yields can be correlated
with improved soil chemical and physical conditions. Highly significant
differences (P < 0.05) in treatment means were also detected for weights
of juice and peel. EM treatments raised orange juice content by 17% (EMPS)
and 11% (EMP and EMS). Related to the control, the percentage increases
in juice content were 8% (EMPS), 7% (EMP) and 3% (EMS). EM treated fruits
also presented thinner peels.