A two-year independent trial on the benefits of the harpin protein as a natural treatment for storage rots in soft fruit has shown promising results.
Fast Ltd, a Kent-based agronomy and research company, researched the claims by the manufacturer of PreTect - based on the protein, harpin - in order to make informed recommendations for growers.
Trials on Elsanta, Everest and Symphony strawberries involved an application of PreTect two weeks before harvest. Results showed that, on fruit stored at 20ºC for 14 days, the control fruit exhibited 20 per cent rot, while test fruit showed only eight per cent rot.
Tests on Octavia raspberries were also treated two weeks before harvest and, following storage at 10ºC for 14 days, the control fruit showed 40 per cent rot, while fruit treated with PreTect showed 10 per cent rot.
Gary Saunders, trials and research manager at Fast, said: “Harpin - a naturally derived protein - stimulates the plant’s self-defence mode. That is, the plant’s stamina and stress tolerance levels are naturally increased.
“However, it is the addition of a growth response resulting in increased calcium and potassium uptake that is believed to be vital in producing improved yields and the extension of shelf life.”
Rob Cook, soft-fruit agronomist at Fast, added: “Everbearers, in particular, have benefited from regular applications throughout the season at the important stages of the crop development, such as flowering and fruit harvest, as well as pre-harvest.”
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