Frank Mason (Genesis Algae Innovation), conducted the following Mango/pasture trial at Kelsey Road Bowen using alive micro green algae (Chlorella Vulgaris).
A mango orchard in Bowen , the Dry Tropics in Qld has a valuable synergistic mix of green panic, legumes and mango trees (R2E2 variety). The average rainfall is 800mm summer dominated. Algae (Chorella ) has been applied twice a year ( flowering and post harvest) for the past 2 years. Sheep graze periodically. The orchard is in the middle of a 3 year heavy pruning due to many years of neglect.
The orchard is not sprayed with any chemicals nor irrigated as can be seen from the photos attached one in November 2023 post harvest and the lush trees/pasture photo is March 2024.
The alive algae was applied via fortified AlgaeFert, at a rate of 1000L/ha equivalent twice a year. The mix is 6L of AlgaeFert concentrate, 20kg of Urea, 300mL of Phosphoric Acid, 100L of Dunder and 1 kg of elemental sulphur all mixed in a 1000L pod. The pod is left in shade for at least 24 hours so the fertiliser is consumed by the algae hence ‘locked up’ to avoid nutrient loss. The cost per hectare of this is $150 plus GST and freight hence $300/annum per hectare for a mango crop and grazed sheep production.
Suggested future work could investigate using AlgaeFert in other tree crops and in particular horticultural crops in Bowen.
For further information, www.genesisalgaeinnovation.com