A field trial in the Granada region of Spain demonstrated the benefit of foliar treatments with HaifaStim™ Wall-Up in garlic cultivation. The product improved yields by over 11% and showed better performance than competitor products.
Garlic is a notable crop in the fertile plains of Granada, Spain. In recent years, climate change has imposed severe challenges on garlic cultivation: extreme and unpredictable weather conditions create stresses, hinder growth, and increase susceptibility to damage – altogether leading to significant yield losses.
Since silicon is known to improve plant health and resilience, the application of ortho-silicic acid has been suggested as an effective strategy to tackle these challenges. To assess the effectiveness of HaifaStim™ Wall-Up, a specialty liquid preparation of ortho-silicic acid, Haifa Iberia conducted a field trial during the 2023–2024 growing season.
The trial was arranged and inspected by Haifa agronomist Enrique Garcia.
Trial details
Location: Chauchina, Granada, Spain 
Duration: November 13, 2023 – May 13, 2024
Treatments
Quantities in a 15 L backpack sprayer
| Control | Untreated | |
| Haifa | Commercial preparation of metallic copper | 20 ml |
| Commercial preparation of seaweed extract + micronutrients | 60 ml | |
| HaifaStim™ Wall-Up | 40 ml | |
| Competitor | Commercial preparation of metallic copper | 20 ml |
| Commercial preparation of seaweed extract + micronutrients | 60 ml | |
| Competitor ortho-silicic acid preparation | 40 ml | |
The first treatment was applied in November at early growth. Additional treatments were applied at 20-30 day intervals, depending on weather condition and plant status.
Observations throughout the season
December: Plants treated with ortho-silicic acid retained more leaves than the control group.
January: Severe cold weather struck the region. Plots treated with ortho-silicic acid showed reduced frost damage.
Late January: Destructive inspections revealed that ortho-silicic acid-treated plants had smoother leaves, less chlorosis, and stronger vegetative development. HaifaStim™ Wall-Up plots showed a slight advantage, likely due to its added microelements.
March: Control plants appeared visually healthier because of copper treatments, which masked chlorosis but did not reflect true plant health.
May: Harvest and yield measurements were conducted.
Yield results
Weight of 60 heads
| Weight (grams) | Advantage over control | |
| Control | 5.1 | - |
| HaifaStim™ Wall-Up | 5.71 | 11.28% |
| Competitor | 5.29 | 3.65% |
 |  |  |
| Control | HaifaStim™ Wall-Up | Competitor |
 |  |  |
Conclusions
HaifaStim™ Wall-Up boosted garlic yields by over 11%, proving the power of ortho-silicic acid with added micronutrients to strengthen plants, enhance quality, and maximize grower income.
- Ortho-silicic acid enhances garlic yield and plant resilience, consistent with literature reporting ~10% yield increases.
- Although garlic heads in the control plot appeared slightly larger (likely due to seed quality), ortho-silicic acid treatments improved unit weight – a key indicator of marketable quality and grower profitability.
- HaifaStim™ Wall-Up delivered the highest yield. Its advantage lies in the added micronutrients, which optimize plant nutrition, particularly in soils with pH-related absorption limitations.
