The first C02 foliar fertilizer, Lithovit, a biogro organically certified product, with a base ingredient of calcium and magnesium, has produced yield results that have astounded aTe Puke kiwifruit grower.

Adam Kasper, Manager of Highway Orchards in Te Puke ran a test trial last season on 1.2 hectares of Haywood kiwifruit.

With the devastating PSA virus attacking kiwifruit growers Mr Kasper says he is willing to give anything that promotes vine growth health a go.

“Basically it just sought of levelled everything out, Typically we saw more consistency across the range of fruit sizes. Whereas typically we would have a very distinctive peak in what particular size of fruit.

"With Lithovit the sizes were a lot more consistent. Particularly now, with the PSA virus and that sought of thing being around, anything that can boost plant health and that is certainly worth a try.”

Results from Zespri show an average return per hectare for last year’s farmers in the Te Puke area, were 7,330 trays compared to growers using Lithovit, who had a whopping 12,000 plus trays per hectare, more than 65% higher than the average contributor.

Average size fruit from untreated farms could fit 31 fruits per tray, however fruit trays with treated fruit, could only fit 28.