[Terrapreta] Brix levels

[Sean K. Barry]

Hi Max,

I've used Brix measurements before only once, when I was working as a vineyard manager.  When Brix were low (~19) in the Zinfandel grapes, the winery buying the grapes had us cut fruit from the vines.  These were used in White Zinfandel wine.  After a couple of weeks, the Zin grapes reached a brix measurement of ~21.5, which were then harvested for Red Zinfandel wines.

Is it possible the changes in barometric pressure are detectable by plants and because these proceed the arrival of storms, that this is how plants "know" to move sap down to their roots.  I tend to resist attempts at anthropomorphism of plants.  Plants don't think, know, feel, or act like animals or people.  Plants are also not magical in my estimation.  Plants are, however, almost alien to us in terms of the physiologies they possess and how this works.

Regards,

SKB
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: MFH<mailto:mfh01 at bigpond.net.au> 
  To: Terra Preta<mailto:terrapreta at bioenergylists.org> 
  Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 6:47 AM
  Subject: [Terrapreta] Brix levels


   

  I had lost sight of the usefulness of testing plants for Brix levels. 

   

  Brix measures the dissolved solids in plant sap and juices. As a rule-of-thumb the higher the Brix level the more nutritious a plant will be to the consumer. And the higher the Brix level the more resistant a plant will be to pest and disease attack.

   

  Brix levels in fruit and vegetables have generally been falling over the last 25 years, mainly as a result of factory-farming - the concentration on rapid growth, lots of fertiliser and water, and harvesting before ripeness. Test the produce in the average supermarket and the Brix levels are disturbingly low - maybe as low as half the level 25 years ago. So to gain the same nutritional value you'd need to eat twice as many oranges as did your parents.

   

  Testing is done with a refractometer, with reasonable quality instruments available around $120.

   

  There is lots of amateur evidence that the addition of charcoal increases plant vigour and health. But a handful of Urea can have the same effect. A Brix test is probably the cheapest and simplest way of determining whether the plant in the char soil is actually better for you than the one that has been boosted with nitrogen. My bet is that it will be.

   

  Max H

   

  PS - following on from the discussion on plants reactions to stress, they also do something remarkable in a Brix sense. When a storm is approaching, plants transfer some of the dissolved solids in the sap into the roots, presumably to offer some protection for these assets against loss through broken limbs etc. That's stunning in itself, but more stunning is that this happens before the storm strikes. In other words the plant detects that a storm is going to happen, and takes precautions before it arrives. I know some people who are too intellectually challenged to emulate that.

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