Chad Brian, the grower at Policella Farms:
“Big Power RZ is fantastic”

For the past three seasons, Policella Farms has been using Big Power as rootstock for its Grandella crop. “Big Power is a highly generative rootstock; when combined with the vegetative qualities of Grandella, it contributes to vigorous growth. Another advantage we have noticed is that Big Power helps to minimize blossom end rot, as it stimulates the distribution of nutrients and available water for vegetative plants at high temperatures.”

Strong root structure
In the past, Chad has used the MaxiFort rootstock. “When you compare MaxiFort with Big Power, we have noticed that root growth in the initial stages is slower with Big Power. However, over the long term, it produces a stronger and larger root mass.”

Rootstock trials
At the moment, Chad is also trialling two additional RZ rootstock varieties: 61-067 and 61-068. “We have two rows of each of these rootstocks, including around 500 Grandella plants,” Chad says. “Similar to Big Power, both of these varieties produce a strong root system.”

Area: Sowing date: Planting date: Growing medium: Plant density:

10 acres 1 December 2007 15 January 2008 coco fibre 2.8 plants/m2

Seeds & Services Canada, september 2008