HaifaStim™ Enhances Quality and Yield in Rocket Cultivation

A field trial conducted in Campania, Italy, demonstrated that the HaifaStim™ program increases baby leaf rocket yield by 8%. In addition, it improves several key quality parameters, enhancing product marketability and boosting growers’ net income. 

Trial Overview

The trial took place in a plastic-covered greenhouse, starting on January 9, 2025, with harvests on January 27 and February 20.

HaifaStim™ treatment program

All HaifaStim™ products were applied as foliar sprays. Both the HaifaStim™ plot and the control plot received the same mineral nutrition.

Results

Yield 

The HaifaStim™ treatment led to significant yield increases compared to the untreated control, with statistically confirmed differences.

Quality Parameters

• Vitrescence Reduction:
  HaifaStim™ treatments effectively reduced vitrescence – a physiological disorder characterized by soft, watery tissues often caused by low light, high humidity, poor ventilation, or excessive nitrogen fertilization. By reducing vitrescence, the treatments also helped prevent secondary infections such as bacterial diseases and downy mildew.
• Shelf-Life Extension:
  Treated plants exhibited a lower rate of post-harvest weight loss, indicating extended shelf life and better marketability.

• Higher Dry Matter Content:
  The HaifaStim™ treatments significantly increased dry matter content, resulting in firmer, more resilient leaves with improved texture and appearance.

   

  
   

Conclusions

The HaifaStim™ strategy delivered clear agronomic benefits over the untreated control, improving both yield and product quality. The combination of HaifaStim™ Force, HaifaStim™ Wall-Up S, and HaifaStim™ Rally showed strong and consistent effects across all measured parameters, achieving the following objectives:

HaifaStim™ Force: Optimized vegetative recovery after cutting, even under suboptimal temperature conditions. HaifaStim™ Rally: Improved water management during the growth cycle and post-harvest. HaifaStim™ Wall-Up S: Enhanced leaf thickening, strength, and resilience throughout all growth stages.

The cost of the HaifaStim™ program was fully compensated by the significant yield increase and quality improvements, confirming its economic and agronomic efficiency in rocket cultivation.

_{Report by Filippo Correddu, Haifa Italy}