Blog Post

High-Return Regenerative Green Chile

Wyatt Flory • October 16, 2023

3 critical components are necessary.

Grower Experienced yields of 37 tons per acre on this block.

The block was initially wiped out by Rhizoctonia after lying fallow for 3 years. When it was realized that the field had never received a Biology/Carbon program, a standard protocol for Vermicompost Tea was recommended, along with a food source for the biology. Crop was then replanted.

A Systems Approach was taken to the crop nutrition program, composed of these 3 critical elements:

Microbes: Diverse biology through vermiculture tea and fungal spores provides maximum nutrient delivery.

Food Source for fungal and bacterial biology.

Carbon-complexed nutrients: Efficient and biologically compatible for maximum nutrient delivery and plant benefit.

Without any of these 3 components, the system does not work, and optimum plant health is not achieved.

This program included bi-weekly sap testing to monitor nutrient levels closely and be prepared for nutrient demands.

A carbon-based starter fertilizer (analysis 7-21-3) was used at planting, as well as foliar applications of micronutrients as required per sap testing.

Amino acid nitrogen comprised a portion of the nitrogen input, and all N and P applications were carbon-complexed.

The nutrition program cost per acre was $1,500.00

The Gross income per acre was $22,200.00

Some observations:

Extremely low pest and disease pressure throughout the season. (Healthy plants repel insects and disease!)
Very low pesticide input costs. (1 application for darkling beetle)
High nutrient efficiency from carbon complexed nutrients and biology.

In the end, the grower experienced excellent ROI in spite of low fresh-market green chile prices, due to lowered input cost and excellent yield of a systems approach to crop nutrition.

Yes, it is possible to grow highly productive, insect and disease-free crops!