Application Report of NutriGrow Liquid Fertilizer
on Cultivation of Schisandra

By Agrotechnique Promotion Centre, Ji An County, Jilin Province
By Sun Lian Bo and Liu Ya Kun            Date: Sept 18, 2007.

Brief Description
The cultivation area of schisandra has been expanded tremendously in the recent years in Ji An County, Jilin Province. This field test on the application of NutriGrow on the schisandra were conducted in mid-2007.

Test results showed that the effect of NutriGrow had not only provided the needed NPK and trace elements for healthy growth of schisandra, but also improved perviousness and aeration in the soil. Soil physical characters were being enhanced, and emergence of harmful microbe were being suppressed. NutriGrow shortened the schisandra fruit maturity time, with uniform ripening timing and at the same time increased yield as well.

NutriGrow Liquid Fertilizer is a new type, efficient, green organic fertilizer. Its main features are: highly soluble, balanced nutrition and high rate of utilization. These are in conformity with National direction for the development of an environmental-friendly and high-tech agriculture, especially a bright future for the application on medicinal and edible crops, such as cultivation of schisandra.

1. Material and Method

 1.1 Choice of Cultivation Land for Field Test

The chosen land was on the schisandra plantation owned by Ji An Yi Sheng Pharmaceutical Company. The land of the plantation was flat, easy access to water source, good drainage, and the soil was of porous and fertile sandy loam.

1.2 Materials and Species Tested

*NutriGrow Liquid Fertilizer with high nitrogen and potassium.
*Four-yearly-crop Schisandra.

1.3   Field Test Plan
Simple contrast comparison method was adopted in the experiment, two treatments and replace thrice.

Treatment 1： NutriGrow Liquid Fertilizer was diluted to 40 times for root-watering, 200 grams of the diluted fertilizer for each plant, application of 3 times in a vegetation period, with high nitrogen formulation for the 1st and 2nd applications and high potassium for the 3rd application.

Treatment 2:      Contrast comparison, with regular fertilizing.

Area of Test Plot： 75 square meters (five rows each plot, length：10 m, width： 7.5 m), Total 450 sq. m.

 1.4  Execution of the Field Test  

Cultivation method adopted on the test field:  
Within a half-shed of 0.5 m x 1.5 m, row spacing: 1.5m and plant spacing of 0.5m.
Application of fertilizer and insecticide followed routine approach.

There were 3 applications of NutriGrow, on May 10, June 10 and July 10 of 2007 respectively. Inspections were performed on growth character and fruit yield during vegetation and harvest periods of schisandra.

2. Results and Analysis

2.1     The effect on Schisandra growth during vegetation period by the application of NutriGrow Liquid Fertilizer:

Based on field inspection, after the application of NutriGrow, the cultivated soil character was being improved, the soil appeared to be porous, better aeration,  good permeability of water and suppressing breeding of harmful microbe.

It also had the effects on schisandra leaves which were thicker, coloured with shining dark green, and plants grew flourishingly, having fruits ripening time being uniformly advanced by about a week.

2.2 The Effect of NutriGrow on the Vegetation Physical Character of  Schisandra:

Three locations being selected in each Treatment, 50 spikes from each location
were chosen for inspection. With the application of NutriGrow, there was substantial improvement on length, number of grains and weight of spike.
Date of inspection： Aug 20, 2007.

2.3 The Application Effect of NutriGrow on the Prevention of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests:

Inspections were done on all plants in every Treatment during the outspread periods of various types of plant diseases. The incidence rate of plant diseases was shown on the table above. On the application of NutriGrow, the incidence of different types of plant diseases varied to a different degree of reduction. Also, there was a tendency of lower incidence of insect pests.

2.4   The  Effect of NutriGrow on the Yield of Schisandra:

The actual yield achieved on each plot was shown above.
The average yield improvement： 9.21%

3.    Summary

3.1 After the application of NutriGrow, the cultivated soil characteristics could be improved, the soil would be more porous,
　 better aeration, improve permeability of water and better suppressing the breeding of harmful microbe.

　 It have obvious effects on schisandra physical growth,  the leaves were thicker, with shining dark green, and plants
　 would grew flourishingly, having fruits ripening time uniformly advanced by about a week.

3.2 On application of NutriGrow, incidence of various types of plant diseases could be reduced and chances of insect
　 pests alleviated.

3.3  On the application of NutriGrow, yield of schisandra have increased, the average inprovement range proven to be
　　9.21%. Further, enhancement of schisandra quality and characteristics were being accomplished.