Materials used in this chapter were published in the book “Biostimulant Albit for increasing yields and protection of agricultures against diseases”, A.K. Zlotnikov, Ed. Prof. À. Melkumova. All-Russia Institute of Plant Protection, Russia, 2006. In Russia, Albit is officially registered as a plant growth regulator of cherry. Albit accelerates plant growth and development, improves plant resistance to unfavorable conditions of environment, provides defense against plant diseases, increases yield and improves yield quality. Influence of Albit on cherry was examined in a trial performed by All-Russia Institute of Vegetable Selection and Seed Breeding (Moscow oblast, 2001) on cherry trees (Cerasus vulgaris Mill) var. Rogneda. Trees used in experiment were planted in chess scheme, distance between trees was 6 meters. Each experimental group contained 10 trees. Yield of cherries in control was 5.66 kg/tree on average (1.68 tons/hectare). According to results of experiment, the most effective treatment mode is twice repeated treatment of trees with Albit solution conc. 1 mL/10 L, 10 L/tree. This variant provided yield increase over control of 0.11 tons/hectare (7%). Increase of Albit concentration per tree to 3 mL/tree lead to little bit worst result (increase over control of 6.4%), however differences between these results are unreliable. Analogous biostimulant based on living Pseudomonas aureofaciens bacteria did not provide any yield increase. Treatment with Albit increased part of yield harvested in first and second harvesting sets, i.e. Albit provided more simultaneous cherry ripening. Also, Albit treatments slightly decreased number of rotten cherries infected with fruit anthracnose. Also, Albit is applied on cherry as antidote for reducing the phytotoxic effect of pesticides and protection of plants against unfavorable environmental factors. Anti-stress effect of Albit has been demonstrated in China. In February of 2014, cherry orchard was heavily damaged by frosts. After application of Albit, the trees quickly recovered (Fig. 1) and gave earlier and quality yield (Fig. 2).
In April 2019, cherry orchard near town Amasya was heavily damaged by frosts. Those areas of the orchard that were treated with Albit (approximately 100 mL/ha) 2-3 days before frosts, practically did not suffer from frosts (Fig. 3).
Fig. 3. Influence of Albit treatment on frost resistance of cherry orchard. Left – control (without Albit), right – treatment with Albit (Turkey, 2019)
Also, Albit has a high efficacy on cherry grafts. According to the State registration, treatment of grafts with Albit (soaking before planting for 3-5 hours in a solution of 1 mL/L) is intended for improving of survival rate, activation of growth, increasing the resistance to unfavorable environmental factors.
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