1

GEOMITE DEVELOPMENT PTY LTD

North Haven Trial July 2012

The purpose of this trial is to demonstrate the application of biomineral technique in plant food production, using as starting point a soil base of limited fertility – in this instance the limesand common to coastal South Australia.

Soil development is limited in these sands, chief characteristics being low retention of carbon and extremely low clay content. Water repellency is universal and protracted irrigation necessary to achieve wetting, so that garden water costs in this, the driest state of Australia, militate against garden development. In previous tests, Geomite has been found to control the fungal organism which coats the soil particles with a water repellent film, and has considerably reduced irrigation cost.

The present trial includes Geomite containing 10% sugar mud, the analysis of which matches well with the Geomite formulation.

The trial is to be conducted in two one monthly increments which will follow the development of the initial planting to maturity. An essential of the trial will be incorporation of plant succession aimed at demonstrating the ability of biomineral technique to sustain maximum uninterrupted food production from a given area of land, essential in terms of future food security.

Next in order of precedence will be analysis of plant tissue in order to determine the nutritional quality of food produced in this way against a chemically fertilised control.

Finally, soil sampling to 15 and 45 cm will be conducted at end of each month to demonstrate carbon sequestration and structure development achievable with this method of operation.

The Garden

January 4, 2012

A Denyer corrugated iron raised garden measuring 180 by 60 cm by 60cm deep was filled with a mix of approximately 75% limesand subsoil and 25% topsoil derived from the trial area.

An 8cm mulch of eucalyptus bark was then applied to the whole and Geomite biological liquid fraction applied and watered in.

The plot was then inoculated with the compost worm varieties: Eisenia andrei and foetida, earthworm varieties: Perionix excavatus (blue) and Amynthus (cod), then planted to vegetable varieties ranging through leaf, root and pulses.

Growth commenced within six days and proceeded for some four weeks until rapid deterioration was observed and the garden was obviously dying.

2

The eucalyptus bark mulch was considered as a possible source of allogensand replaced with pea straw, however no improvement resulted and for a time the project was abandoned until excavation revealed the entire plot to be colonized by feeder roots from a neighbouring Melaleuca.

Trenching and placement of polyethylene membrane outside the garden effectively eliminated the problem and growth recommenced within 8 days.

The plants illustrated and discussed in this report are coded as follows:

T1 survivors of original planting….. January 2012

T2 first planting for this trial………………. July 2, 2012

T3 planting of brassicas………………..July 20, 2012

Photographs

General view of garden. Location open to full morning light and

partial shade after noon. Invasive melaleuca visible on right.

3

View along garden showing massed close planting.

4

Bok Choi of T2 planting July 2. Dominant plant on left to be retained for seed. Note infestation of leaf

miner which has been left untreated to assess plant’s ability to self-protect. All affected leaves are

from basal ring except for the spot visible near centre of image above, which has not developed further.

5

At 30 day development from transplant, leaf size exceeds that of commercial product

and growth accelerating with increased day length.

6

T1 strawberry recommencing growth

7

T3 broccoli with Bacopa

8

T2 lemongrass

9

Bok choi succession from T3 seeding - no disturbance of mulch is necessary, small seed placed on

surface are washed to soil surface by rainfall.

T3 brocolli and garlic above.

10

T3 garlic development with T1 thyme recommencing growth

Defoliated stalks of peppers from T1 planting survived and are recommencing growth

11

T3 cauliflower and cabbage with emerging pea.Parsley succession lower right.

12

T1 oregano regrowth, brassicas, bok choi succession lower right

Soil

Six samples were taken of the base soil surrounding the plot, avoiding the area from which soil had been excavated to fill the Denyer. Six samples were then taken from the plot itself.

Sampling procedure involved collection of surface to 15cm and 15-45cm columns from each site. These were then individually mixed, quartered, and placed in the appropriate bags, yielding an acceptable statitical mean of top and subsoil for each of the plot and base soil.

The characteristics of the base soil, both top and sub, were pale grey colour and powder dry to the extent that precaution against loss was required when transferring from sampler to the mix plate.

The topsoil from the plot carried a much higher carbon content and was extremely loose and friable with developing structure – the subsoil only slightly less so. Moisture content was high enough to

13

retain material in the sample, necessitating considerable impact for removal. Visual observation indicated sequestration of appreciable carbon content to depth.

Conclusions

Carbon sequestration in the topsoil is satisfactory, and has persisted to considerable extent to a depth of 45cm. If this continues to develop, Geomite will offer considerable carbon credit advantage throughout the supply chain.

1. Colloidal Organic Matter in topsoil was increased from 3.05% to 5.62% in seven months.2. Colloidal Organic Matter in subsoil was increased from 3.05% to 5.27% in seven months – this

result is for a sampled depth opf 45cm, indicating that Geomite is effective in sequestering carbon well into subsoil.

3. Green crop (bok choi) shows approximately doubled leaf area over commercial product at this point. Colour and gloss of leaves indicates good health, with no nitrogen insufficiency.

4. Growth of garlic is strong, indicating nutrition is correct for root crops.

©4.08.2012

Geomite Development Pty Ltd

14