Jap Pumpkin Trial Log (Meringandan)
Day 1
The trial commenced on the 23rd October 2003 at Freda Garret’s property at Meringandan in Queensland, Australia.
A fenced area was provided to conduct the trial. The preparation of the seed mounds required the ground to be dug and potting mix applied and mixed in with the soil of each mound.
Prior to the charging session a pH and conductivity test was done on the bore water.
Readings |
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pH: |
7.3 |
Conductivity: |
1.8mS/cm |
8 Jap Pumpkin seeds were placed in a 10 litre container and covered with water.
A 3050 Q Energy Spa and Orb were used to charge the water for a period of 35 minutes on low setting due to the high conductivity of the bore water.
After the charging session the seed was planted into the mounds with 4 seeds per mound and planted at a depth of 40 mm. After planting, each mound was identified according to the type of water treatment it was to receive.
Each mound was watered with 20 litres of water according to its water rating.
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Figure 1 - Fenced area for the trial |
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Figure 2 - 4 mounds prepared for planting |
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Figure 3 - Taking pH and Conductivity Readings |
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Figure 4 - Charging the pumpkin seeds |
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Figure 5 - Planting out the trial. Latex gloves were worn to prevent contact with the seeds. |
31st October 2003
Trial pumpkins monitored and it was observed that seeds in the groups had emerged.
Only one seed had struck in the uncharged seed and charged water group.
Each group was watered according to its treatment.
Readings of pH 7.8 and Conductivity of 1.8 mS/cm were recorded after the water had been charged.
Uncharged seed, charged water 1 seed germinated |
Charged seed, charged water 3 seeds germinated |
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charged seed, uncharged water 3 seeds germinated |
Uncharged seed, uncharged water (control) 3 seeds germinated |
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18th December 2003
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Uncharged seed, charged water |
Charged seed, charged water |
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Charged seed, uncharged water |
Uncharged seed, uncharged water |
27th February 2004
Charged Seed Charged Water
7 fruit in the first fruiting, average 2 1/2kg
Largest area covered by plant
A lot of fruit in second fruiting being formed
Uncharged Seed Charged Water
First to form Fruit
1 fruit in first fruiting 3kg
Second fruiting already evident 1kg
Charged Seed Uncharged Water
Slow to form pumpkins
3 fruit in first fruiting 2kg
Second fruiting just evident
Uncharged seed Uncharged Water
Very late to form fruit
First fruiting 3 pumpkins
Second fruiting 2 pumpkins
Not much time between fruiting
5th March 2004
(A) Uncharged seed and uncharged water.
Brix leaf reading 2
Weight # 1 – already picked
# 2 – 1.5 kgs
# 3 – 2.7 kgs
# 4 – 2.6 kgs
Measurement (diameter) # 1 – already picked
# 2 – 190 mm
# 3 - 200 mm
# 4 – 200 mm
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#1 |
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#2 |
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#3 |
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#4 |
(B) Uncharged water charged seed
Brix leaf reading 3.4
Weight # 1 – 4.2 kgs
# 2 - 3.4 kgs
# 3 – 3.9 kgs
Measurement (diameter) # 1 – 245 mm
# 2 – 220 mm
# 3 – 235 mm
Left # 1 Right # 3
#2
(C) Uncharged seed charged water
Brix leaf reading 4
Weight # 1 – 4.8 kgs
# 2 – 3.2 kgs
# 3 – 2.5 kgs
Measurement (diameter) # 1 – 245 mm
# 2 – 210 mm
# 3 - 220 mm
#1
#2
#3
(D) Charged seed charged water
Brix leaf reading 4.4
Weight # 1 – 4 kgs
# 2 – 3.2 kgs
# 3 – already picked
# 4 – 2.1 kgs
# 5 – already picked
# 6 – 2.3 kgs
Measurement (diameter) # 1 – 230 mm
# 2 – 230 mm
# 3 – already picked
# 4 – 190 mm
# 5 – already picked
# 6 – 210mm
#1
#2
#4
#6
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19.03.2004 - Brix test readings and conductivity |
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Group A - uncharged seed, uncharged water |
6.8 flesh |
sap 16.5 |
9.4 mS/cm |
Group B - charged seed, uncharged water |
5 flesh |
sap 10.3 |
8.1 mS/cm |
Group C - uncharged seed, charged water |
5.6 flesh |
sap 8 |
6.9 mS/cm |
Group D - charged seed, charged water |
6.8 flesh |
sap 13 |
6.8 mS/cm |
Comparing each of the pumpkins, the riper the pumpkin the darker the colour of the flesh and the higher the brix level. |
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19.03.04 A Sample from each of the trial pumpkins was taken, cooked and mashed for a taste test. Each taster was asked to rank the pumpkins in order of sweetness and texture. The following is the majority preference (1 being the most preferred). |
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(A) |
Uncharged seed, Uncharged water |
3 |
(B) |
Charged seed, Uncharged water |
5 |
(C) |
Uncharged seed, Charged water |
4 |
(C2) |
Uncharged seed, Charged water |
2 |
(D) |
Charged seed, Charged water |
1 |
Pumpkins B, C & A were not quite mature. |
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Pumpkins C2 & D were ripe. |
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Pumpkin C2 was extra to the trial. |
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 Note the colour difference between the pumpkins |
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Comparing the protein values of the pumpkins the Charged Seed, Uncharged Water (2) performed the best, followed by the Charged Seed, Charged Water (4).
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The fat values of the pumpkins (2, 3 &4) which have had some form of charging treatment are lower in fat and much better than the uncharged seed uncharged water pumpkin.
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